By Prekshya Khatri
Tenzing Norgay Sherpa of Nepal and Sir Edmund Hillary of New Zealand were trailblazers in the sense that they were the first human beings to successfully ascend Mount Everest on May 29, 1953. The historic achievement of the courageous mountaineers has been etched in the minds of all for all times to come.
Every achievement has to the first and the rest are there to follow. Everest, since it was identified as the highest peak in the world in 1852, has held fascination for all adventure seekers and the diehard mountaineers. The feeling of being on “top of the world” or the Third Pole as some have dubbed it is an exhilarating one as successful summiteers have claimed as Everest stands at 8,848 meters (29,025 feet) from the main sea level. Of course, the actual experience remains with the person concerned but what the words can convey is for those who learn about it through word of mouth or through the travelogue or other reading material.
The honor of ascending Everest for the first time, however, rests with Tenzing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary. The chronology has been established. It was an achievement not only for the two mountaineers, who were members of John Hunt’s expedition team, but also for the whole of mankind. The enduring spirit of mankind had once again been reflected in their success.
Sixty years elapsed in their run up to the historic achievement. There were many who had sacrificed their lives while attempting to scale Everest. Their contribution too receives mention. As no attempt instantly becomes a success unless others before them have carved some steps. The same is the case with ascending Everest. It was not a one attempt success. Everyone had to learn from those who had attempted it before and reached to some extent. But it is fate that decides the victorious in the race.
The name of Mallory and Irvine figure again and again when it comes to talking about Everest and the mountaineers. Despite their several attempts, they could not succeed.
Even Tenzing Norgay had not succeeded in his first attempt. In his sixth attempt with Raymond Lambert, they climbed Everest from the Nepal side and reached to a height of 28, 215 feet. It was achievement but did not materialize in successful ascent. It was Tenzing Norgay’s seventh attempt with Hillary that success was achieved. And both share the honor as being the first successful summiteers to Everest.
It was a feat Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary to have successfully reached the summit and return safely. It left the world gasping in amazement that human beings, who seemingly look so frail, can achieve something so remarkable and for the first time. This event set the world’s, eyes on Everest. Everest was a central attraction for mountaineers and adventure seekers. It also made Nepal, the land of Everest, known in the nooks and corners of the world.
From 1953 to 2002, many years have passed since that historical day but the charm of Everest has not faded. It has not become a relic from some dim past. The event is as fresh today as it was when the beaming faces of the two successful climbers greeted the world. To commemorate that success, the celebration of the Golden Jubilee celebration of conquest of Mount Everest starts from June, 2002 all the way to May, 2003. As every achievement has to be respected and honored, this is a small contribution. What they had done was the success of mankind and to the glory of everyone including the countries they belonged to.
Other mountaineers too have scaled Everest in their own way and have earned fame. They too must be respected. They have climbed Everest and in their own way set records of different kinds. They have done what every mountaineer has the urge and the feeling to do.
Nepal is proud that one of its citizens, Tenzing Norgay Sherpa, had been among the first two to have reached atop Everest. Not only did this give the Sherpas their due recognition but the country too came to be known the world over. The Sherpas, in fact, have been at the forefront of almost every expedition. The mountain people that they are hardy, tough and can face up to any challenges.
Some have succumbed in their attempts to scale the peak. Many others have achieved what they had sought. People of different countries have come and scaled the highest summit. The attraction still remains.
The first successful ascent of Everest will be remembered for all times to come with reverence and May 29 every year will be looked upon with nostalgia commemorating the day when history was made by Tenzing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary.
Source: Nepal Prabat
Bipin