Tenzing, Hillary kin tell summit tales on 70th yr of 1st Everest ascent

KOLKATA: While climbing down after their ascent of Mount Everest on May 29, 1953, Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary left their sleeping bags at South Col to signal to their teammates, waiting near the Khumbu Icefall, about their summit. But clouds shrouded the bags, leaving the anxious teammates clueless about the summiteers’ whereabouts till the following afternoon. Hillary’s son, Peter, recounted the historical summit as he addressed a gathering at a programme at Khunde in Nepal on Monday to commemorate the 70th year of the first recorded ascent of Mt Everest. In the afternoon, he, his son Alexander and Tenzing’s son, Jamling, and Tenzing’s granddaughter, Pelzom, inaugurated the Sherpa Heritage Centre at Namche, Nepal.“Hillary and Tenzing had summited Everest at 11.30am on May 29, 1953, and started climbing down just before midday. When they came to South Col, they left their sleeping bags at the end of South Col, sending a signal to the other members of the team, waiting at Khumbu Icefall, that their summit had been successful,” Peter said. “They did it so that the sherpas and the British climbers waiting downhill would know whether they were successful or not. But the sleeping bags were veiled behind clouds. None of the team members knew about the summiteers’ whereabouts till the following afternoon when the two walked into Lhotse Face.” “It was not only reaching the summit of the highest peak, but it was also an empowerment and confidence that we can conquer the unattainable. I am proud of Jamling’s father and mine who went on to do so many other things after their Everest success,” Peter added. The climbers’ grandchildren vowed to work for the betterment of education and healthcare in Khumjung and Khunde areas to carry forward their grandparents’ wishes. Alexander said, “It is an inspiration and commitment for me. The fathers of these two men (Peter and Jamling) were extraordinary. What these two men have done is also extraordinary. I would like to continue the legacy.” Alexander said boosting education infrastructure in Khumjung and Khunda areas was the families’ priority. “We have a big commitment here in terms of education, healthcare and environment,” Peter said.