LUKLA (Nepal): Golden statues of Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa were unveiled in Nepal on Friday to kick off commemorations of the 70th anniversary of the first ascent of Everest.
New Zealander Hillary and Sherpa, a Nepali, reached the world’s highest peak on May 29, 1953, a milestone moment in mountaineering.
“History was created 70 years ago by these two simple humble loving gentlemen who gave back whatever they could, back to the people of the Himalayas,” said the Nepali climber’s son Jamling Tenzing Norgay at the ceremony.
Monks blessed the smiling statues of the two, built next to the runway of Tenzing-Hillary Airport in Lukla, the gateway for hundreds who seek to follow their footsteps to the summit of Everest.
“This must have been a terrifying moment for them, no one had been up it before,” said Peter Hillary, son of Edmund Hillary, talking about the difficult step a little below the summit that was christened after his father.
“And of course they decided, yes we’re going give it a go.”
Locals placed khada, traditional Tibetan scarves, around the necks of the pioneering mountaineers’ statues.
Since the first ascent, more than 6,000 climbers have reached the top of the 8,849-metre peak, according to the Himalayan Database.
As well as supporting tourism, the rapid growth in the climbing industry has raised revenue for the government, which charges foreigners an Everest permit fee of $11,000.
This season 478 have been issued. Since most climbers need a guide, more than 900 people — a record — were expected to attempt a summit. – AFP
