Lukla airport to be renamed after Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa

Sir Edmund Hillary and his wife at the 50th annivervity celbration in Nepal May 2003 copyright©Frits Vrijlandt

Nepal Tourism Minister Prithvi Subba Gurung has proposed to rename Lukla after Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa. The proposal has been welcomed and is expected to pass quickly as a tribute to these two great climbers. Sir Edmund Hillary died last week of a heart attack. Lukla was built by Hillary during the 1960s, will be renamed Tenzing-Hillary airport.

Earlier: Sir Edmund Hillary has passed way at 88 years young New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark has announced. Sir Edmund has been in frail heath for a few year. He is survived by his wife Lady June and children Peter and Sarah.

1953: British Expedition and FIRST SUMMIT. Led by Colonel John Hunt and consisting of climbers Dr. R.C. Evans, G. Band, T. Bourdillon, A. Gregory, Edmund Hillary, W.G. Lowe, C. Noyce, M.P. Ward, M. Westmacott, and C.G. Wylie. Returning as Sirdar from the Swiss attempts is yet again Tenzing Norgay. The route through the Icefall is completed by April 22, Camp VI is established at the foot of the Lhotse face at 23,000 feet (7000 meters), and after a lengthy delay, the South Col is reached via the Lhotse Face route pioneered by the Swiss the year before.

May 26: First Assault by Evans and Bourdillon from the South Col using closed-circuit oxygen sets. The same day Hunt leads a party of Sherpas from the South Col with the intent to establish Camp IX on the SE Ridge for the second assault party consisting of Hillary and Tenzing. Evans and Bourdillon reach the South Summit at 1 PM at an elevation of 28,750 feet (8770 meters), but are forced to descend due to the lateness of the hour, strong winds, and lack of oxygen.

May 29: Second Assault by Hillary and Tenzing using open-circuit oxygen sets. They leave Camp IX at approximately 27,900 feet (8500 meters) by 6:30 AM, and reach the S. Summit by 9 AM. After negotiating the 40 foot (12 meter) Hillary Step, they are the first to reach the summit of Everest, reaching the top at 11:30 AM. After descending to the South Col, they are met by George Lowe where Hillary states: "Well, George, we knocked the bastard off!"

Sir Edmund Hillary and his wife at the 50th annivervity celbration in Nepal May 2003 copyright©Frits Vrijlandt

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