R.I.P. Sir Edmund Hillary

[necro1000]

New Zealand mountaineer and philanthropist Sir Edmund Hillary died of a heart attack this morning in Auckland at the age of 88. On 29 May 1953, he and Sherpa mountaineer Tenzig Norgay became the first people to reach the summit of Mount Everest. 
In 2006 Hillary spoke of his disdain for the attitudes displayed by many modern mountaineers. In

Comments

[necro1000]

I totally agree with those sentiments too. When it happened, there ended up being a huge debate about it on a forum I used to post on because two people disagreed it was immoral, they thought it was justified to leave a man to die...and they just happened to be recreational climbers. Was it a coincidence they had that attitude? I don't know, but I and others ripped these two selfish morons new arseholes. Their stance was reprehensible and appalling. It's amazing that in any other circumstance it's considered highly improper to fail to render assistance, but not when it comes to scaling Everest. Climbing Everest has become a commercial enterprise and an ego boost.

[ballyorn]

Hey Lou! Hey Anita!

I too was very saddened by his passing.

Wanted to mentioned I was watching the Beach Cricket matches that have been going on here at the moment featuring retired players. When the NZ team came out to field, they stopped, gathered in a huddle and had a minute's silence for Sir Edmund. It was very moving to see them honour their fellow country man.

[necro1000]

That was a nice thing to do. New Zealand has lost a national treasure.