First Ascent of Mount Everest: Hillary and Norgay, May 29, 1953

Historic Summit

On **May 29, 1953, at 11:30 AM local time**, **Sir Edmund Hillary** (New Zealand) and **Tenzing Norgay** (Nepal, Sherpa) became the first humans to stand atop Mount Everest (8,848 m / 29,029 ft).

The Expedition

• Leader: Colonel John Hunt (British Army)
• Name: 1953 British Mount Everest Expedition
• Context: Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II (June 2, 1953) — news timed to coincide
• Approach: South Col route (Nepal side) — now standard
• Support: 350+ porters, 20 Sherpas, 10,000+ lbs supplies

The Summit Push

• May 26: Hillary & Norgay depart South Col (7,900 m) with support team
• May 28: Reach South Summit (8,750 m); Hillary Step (12 m rock cliff) — critical obstacle
• May 29, 11:30 AM: Summit achieved. 15 minutes on top.
• Photos: Hillary photographed Norgay; no photo of Hillary (Norgay didn't know camera)
• Offerings: Norgay left chocolates; Hillary left cross

Aftermath

• Global fame; Hillary knighted (KBE), Norgay received George Medal (later Padma Bhushan)
• Hillary: Himalayan Trust (schools, hospitals, airstrips for Sherpas); Antarctic expedition (1958)
• Norgay: Director of Himalayan Mountaineering Institute; died 1986
• Both: Lifelong friendship, mutual respect

Controversies & Clarifications

• Mallory & Irvine (1924): Disappeared near summit; unknown if they reached top
• Oxygen: Hillary & Norgay used supplemental O₂ — standard then, still standard now
• "First" definition: First confirmed, documented, surviving summit