On top of the world: Ed Hillary
Exploring New Zealand's interior
Once the early European explorers had determined the basic outline of the New Zealand islands, the few remaining coastal puzzles were solved by visiting sealers, whalers and those engaged in the early timber and flax trade. In 1804 the American sealer Owen F. Smith discovered Foveaux Strait, disproving James Cook’s idea that Stewart Island might be joined to the South Island.
The early years - Ed Hillary
Edmund Percival Hillary was born in Auckland on 20 July 1919, the son of Percival and Gertrude Hillary (née Clark). His mother was a teacher; his father published a Dargaville newspaper, the North Auckland Times. Ed had an older sister, June, and a younger brother, Rex. The family moved to South Auckland in 1920 when Percy, who had served at Gallipoli during the First World War, was allocated land near Tuakau. Percy used returned servicemen’s assistance to train as a bee-keeper, and he also established a weekly newspaper, the Tuakau District News.
The end of the 'big mountain days' - Ed Hillary
Honouring Edmund Hillary
Aoraki/Mt Cook route conquered by hippies
Long-haired Christchurch mountaineers John Glasgow and Peter Gough became the first to successfully scale the 2000-m Caroline Face of Aoraki/Mt Cook, declaring it a ‘triumph for the hippies’.
The highest peak in New Zealand, at 3754 m, Aoraki/Mt Cook in the central Southern Alps became the focus of early mountaineering. Although not especially high by global standards, the New Zealand peaks are challenging climbs due to their unpredictable weather and heavy snowfall.
Ed Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, 1971
Ed Hillary and his 1953 climbing partner Tenzing Norgay were reunited in Wellington, 11 August 1971. Tenzing died in 1986.
Mt Everest
This shows the summit of Mt Everest as viewed from the south. The yellow line marks the boundary between China and Nepal.
Screen shot image from Google Earth
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