Sir Edmund Hillary - dead at 88

[kiwidiva]

http://www.stuff.co.nz/images/694471.jpgThe first man to conquer Mt. Everest died today in New Zealand.

"The legendary mountaineer, adventurer, and philanthropist is the best-known New Zealander ever to have lived," said New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark.

So true - he put my country on the map.

Rest In Peace, Sir Ed.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4351997a10.html

[Vanguard]

Rest in Peace, honored Hero.

[Mike_Lowery]

RIP. Dude was great although his adventurer career peaked a long time ago.

[kiwidiva]

I guess that depends on how you define an "adventurer!"

In 2005 he was traipsing around Antarctica at the grand age of 85 - that's pretty adventurous in my books! Antarctica is a long way from the nearest hospital if he had slipped on the ice and broken his hip!!

Antarctica is not a place for the faint of heart - they medevac'd that woman a few years ago who had breast cancer and they recently brought out a guy who had his jaw broken after a fight. And they were at least half Sir Ed's age!

[tutusue]

My daughter just returned from a 2 week adventure to Antarctica. At almost 41, she said a few of the "landings" were tough for her and she didn't know how people in their 60s could handle them. SIXTIES??? I grounded her after that remark. :D