1953 - 2003
Everest Jubilee

On May 29, 1953, Edmund Hillary and Tensing Norgay wrote an important page in the history of the exploration of our planet when they reached the summit of the Earth’s highest mountain, Mount Everest, at 8,850 m (29,035 ft.).

Tensing Norgay and Edmund Hillary

The New Zealand beekeeper and the Sherpa from Darjeeling had no idea that the whole world would celebrate their feat. They travelled the world to tell the story of how they had climbed Chomolungma (the mountain’s Tibetan name), Sagarmatha (in Nepalese), or Mount Everest (in honour of Sir Georges Everest (1790-1866)). Up until 1865, the Roof of the World was known in English merely as “Peak XV.”

Golden Jubilee

Since he was a member of a British expedition led by John Hunt, Hillary offered his success as a tribute to the newly crowned Queen Elizabeth II, and was knighted for his achievement.

2003 is the fiftieth anniversary of the conquest of the Roof of the World. Tensing Norgay died in 1986, but Hillary, now age 83, returns to Nepal every year. To celebrate this “Modern-day Christopher Columbus,” Nepal and the Sherpa people prepared a huge celebration of his triumph, the “Golden Jubilee.”

Mount Everest Golden Jubilee	Sir Edmund Hillary

The tremendous event was attended by Sir Edmund Hillary and his wife, Lady June, of course. Kathmandu, the country’s capital, hosted activities of all kinds, from parades to traditional music and singing, receptions, inaugurations , stamp shows, meetings, conferences and more. Mountaineers from around the world came to the foot of the Himalayas to be with the great Edmund Hillary.

Traditional music and singing
Prince of Nepal Invitation	British Embassy Invitation

It was the perfect opportunity to bring together many Everest summiters. They created an association and talked about the mountain itself and more specifically, their experiences in climbing the world’s highest peak.

Many of the great names in mountaineering were there next to Hillary. There was Reinhold Messner, the first to climb 14 mountains over 8,000 metres. Junko Tabei, the surprising Japanese woman mountaineer, and the 1st woman to reach the top of Everest, in 1975. Peter Habeler, with 40 Himalayan expeditions to his credit, and the tireless Anna Czerwinska from Poland, famed for her many high-altitude climbs and her successful ascension of Everest at age 50.

Habeler-Messner Commemorative Cover

Not to mention, of course, the dozens of Sherpas who have climbed Everest many times over the years. Some have set absolutely amazing records! Apa Sherpa and his 13 successful climbs, Lhakpa Gela Sherpa, who holds the record for the fastest ascent, in 10 hours 56 minutes, and Migma Sherpa, who shared the summit of Everest with me on May 5, 1999. They are among the greatest mountaineers, and even more important, their smiles always light up the mountains.

Bernard and Reinhold Messner	Junko Tabei

Anna Czerwinska	Apa Sherpa

Lhakpa Gela sherpa	Migma Sherpa

Bernard, Sir Edmund Hillary, Lady June Hillary, and Nathalie

Nathalie and I had the privilege of a private meeting with Sir Edmund and Lady June in December 2002 at his home in New Zealand. The hour we spent with them was a memorable moment, and it was then that he invited us to his private reception on May 29, the exact anniversary of his exploit. A few climbers and, above all, 400 Sherpas were delighted to spend the occasion with him. He was clearly very happy to be treated to a simple show put on by Sherpas who had come especially from their villages high in the mountains to dance and sing for him.

	^ < Himalayan Trust Golden Jubilee Invitation

The media were there from all over the world to cover the event, and there were countless reports on his unique ascent, with images, photos and first-hand accounts to refresh everyone’s memory. The most important Everest statistics, surprisingly, have been kept by hand on tiny cards by a single individual, Miss Elizabeth Hawley. A Chicago native, she has been living in Kathmandu for several decades now, and keeping careful track of all those who venture to the Roof of the World. She meets all Everest climbers, without exception, and takes note of their origins, birthdates, previous expeditions, itineraries, the exact altitude of camps, details of their summit, etc. Over the years she has become the sole reference on this subject; even the Nepalese authorities depend on her. Vibrant and charming, she is Sir Edmund Hillary’s closest link in Nepal.

Miss Elizabeth Hawley	Miss Elizabeth Hawley and Bernard

Hillary has always been close to the Sherpa people, and remains so today. He regularly gives them a large share of the credit for his feat. Because he was interested in knowing them better and helping them, he created the Himalayan Trust Foundation to raise funds for building schools, hospitals, landing strips and other facilities in the Khumbu Valley that leads through the Himalayas to the foot of Everest. Everyday life for Sherpas is quite difficult, for the most part. Many villages have no running water or electricity. On the other hand, they can look out their front doors and see the most beautiful mountains in the world.

Hillary receives katas (silk scarves)

Hillary was there for three days, surrounded by people expressing their admiration for him. He walked slowly, using a cane, and bowed thousands of time, hands clasped, to receive gifts of katas (silk scarves) and say “Namaste.” With his piercing gaze, clear memory and imposing presence, he reminds one of the mountain he scaled. He is as strong as Everest and every bit as alive..

A great moment, filled with emotions, to receive such an honour from this living legend.

There is a very special restaurant in Kathmandu, visited by many trekkers and climbers. The Rum Doodle displays the banners of all groups who have completed an expedition, and keeps a collection of signatures, under glass and lock and key, with the inscription Everest Summiters Club. It includes the most prestigious signatures, and it is a very special moment when one gets to add one’s name. Especially since Everest summiters eat free at the restaurant for the rest of their lives!

	^ <  Everest Summiteer's Club Card

The series of mountain stamps issued by Canada Post, dedicated to the exploits of Bernard Voyer and Pat Morrow, are now part of the collection of the stamp museums in Kathmandu and Pokara. These exquisite stamps were issued in October 2002, in the International Year of Mountains, and represent the highest mountain on each continent—including Everest, of course—and the Canadian peak, Mount Logan. They were on display during the celebrations in Kathmandu. On May 29, a new Nepalese stamp was issued, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the ascent of Everest by the Hillary/Norgay team.