{"id":24764,"date":"2023-05-24T07:38:10","date_gmt":"2023-05-24T05:38:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.historyextra.com\/?p=230997"},"modified":"2023-05-24T08:11:41","modified_gmt":"2023-05-24T06:11:41","slug":"tenzing-norgay-the-sherpa-mountaineer-who-first-conquered-everest","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbchistory\/rss_feed\/tenzing-norgay-the-sherpa-mountaineer-who-first-conquered-everest\/","title":{"rendered":"Tenzing Norgay: the Sherpa mountaineer who first conquered Everest"},"content":{"rendered":"

The 1953 British expedition to tame the world\u2019s highest mountain, once and for all, relied on the unparalleled expertise of local Sherpas. But, as Nige Tassell reveals, only the most accomplished would join the summit attempt \u2013 a man who knew Everest more than anyone <\/p>

By jonathanwilkes\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Wednesday, 24 May 2023 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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Many details of the early life of the mountaineer Tenzing Norgay are hazy: the date and location of his birth in 1914, for example, and where he spent his infant years. What is certain, though, is that on 29 May 1953, the man born Namgyal Wangdi, son of a Tibetan yak herder, joined New Zealand climber Edmund Hillary in conquering Everest \u2013 so becoming one of the first two men to stand on the summit of the world.<\/p>\n

It was Tenzing\u2019s vast experience of climbing in the Himalaya that had secured his place on that fateful Everest expedition, led by British army officer and mountaineer John Hunt.<\/p>\n

Read more | In pictures: the conquest of Everest, from the private archives of expedition photographer George Lowe<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>
At the age of 19, Tenzing had left his home in northeastern Nepal and was living in Darjeeling, across the border in India. There he worked as a porter for mountaineering groups, joining the 1935 Everest expedition led by Englishman Eric Shipton, then subsequent British, Canadian and Swiss attempts on the mountain.<\/p>\n
By 1953, no other climber had taken to Everest\u2019s slopes more times than he. When Hunt recruited his local team to join the 400-strong expedition crew, Tenzing\u2019s towering reputation meant that he was a shoo-in for a berth as one of 20 Sherpa guides. In fact, Hunt held him in the highest regard, appointing him as the Sherpa leader.<\/p>\n

Tenzing had substantially greater personal ambition than any Sherpa I had met
Edmund Hillary<\/footer><\/blockquote> <\/div> <\/div> <\/div>\n<\/div>
\u201cTenzing was my obvious choice,\u201d Hunt later declared. \u201cHis vitality and enthusiasm made a deep and lasting impression on me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tenzing\u2019s seniority among the Sherpa guides was clear. A Daily Mail<\/em> correspondent, embedded with the party in the early stages of the mission, reported that Tenzing\u2019s winning smile belied his ability to deliver \u201cterse orders in a tone which commands instant obedience\u201d, and possessed \u201call the bearing of a regimental sergeant-major\u201d.<\/p>\n
Tenzing Norgay\u2019s legendary status<\/h2>\n
Hillary was also an instant fan. As soon as he arrived at base camp in March, the New Zealander made a beeline for the figure who\u2019d accrued a semi-legendary status in climbing circles. \u201cHis success in the past had given him great physical confidence,\u201d he later wrote, noting that Tenzing \u201chad substantially greater personal ambition than any Sherpa I had met\u201d.<\/p>\n
Hillary was in no doubt about the goal of his new colleague: \u201cEven then, he expected to be a member of the final assault party.\u201d<\/p>\n
$\""Edmund\"$ <\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>