Travel Hero
New Zealand 
Nepal Sir Edmund Hillary can be heard speaking on a podcast about his life and achievements. Two things are striking. Firstly, he was a very natural orator and spoke in a very calm and controlled way. Secondly, and more powerfully, he possessed incredible humility. In the interview, Hillary describes himself repeatedly as ‘average’ and ‘not particularly gifted at anything’.
Perhaps it is fitting that Hillary was not the first choice in the 1953 British Everest expedition but rather had to watch as two others set off on a summit bid ahead of him. It is unlikely he complained once. A quiet and unassuming man, described as being ‘exceptionally strong and abounding in restless energy, possessed of a thrusting mind which swept away all unproven obstacles’, Hillary seized his opportunity and paired with Tenzing Norgay, reached the summit despite his self-proclaimed ‘limited abilities’.
Hillary is a hero of ours not just for his achievements, but for his humility. He also dedicated a tremendous amount of time and energy to bettering the lives of Nepal’s Sherpa people, who he loved, building schools and healthcare facilities with that same restless energy that saw him reach the roof of the world.
We find him inspiring as he continued to explore and push boundaries long past his successful ascent of Everest. He became the first man to reach both poles and the summit of Everest, this is significant proof of his physical strength but also his mental strength. Hillary explored until the very end. Just a year before his death and at the age of 87 he made a trip to Antarctica to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Scott Base, the research facility.
For a man of average abilities, Hillary achieved an awful lot and lived a full and inspiring life.
Find out more about Sir Edmund Hillary’s charity work at The Himalayan Trust. This international non-profit humanitarian organisation first established in the 1960s by Sir Edmund Hillary aims to improve the health, education and general wellbeing of people living in the Solukhumbu District.
Edmund Hillary, alongside Tenzing Norgay, was the first man to stand on the summit of Mount Everest, the highest point on earth. Hillary and Norgay reached the top of the world using the best available equipment at the time, but certainly equipment that we now consider to be rather basic. No-one had stood on the summit before them. Trek to Everest Base Camp with Steppes and take a moment to reflect on Hillary’s accomplishment.
Nepal is home to eight of the highest mountain peaks in the world including the tallest, Mount Everest. For those short on time, this adventurous trip will no doubt be a tick on the travel bucket list.
During this 21-day self-drive itinerary across New Zealand, spend time in Mount Cook National Park and visit the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre. This 126 seat custom designed theatre showcases the people and landscapes of the Mount Cook region and and recognises the work of one of the worlds greatest explorers.
From the blog
Get in touch by phone or email to start creating a holiday guaranteed to leave you with stories for a lifetime.
01285 880 980Who goes further, higher, faster, into the unknown, fights to protect the planet, saves lives, dreams big and ultimately inspires us?
Read about some of them here.
Our knowledge, curiosity and expertise set us apart, driving us to create remarkable holidays and Beautiful Adventures tailored perfectly to you, carefully curated to help protect and conserve our planet.
Are you ready to Discover Extraordinary?
