Mount Everest Day 2023: Mount Everest Day is an annual celebration held on May 29 to commemorate Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay’s historic achievement of becoming the first climbers to successfully reach the summit of Mount Everest on that day in 1953.
Everest stands at a staggering 8,848.86 metres (29,031.7 feet) in the majestic Himalayan range, straddling the border between Nepal and Tibet. Its treacherous slopes, bitter cold, unpredictable weather, and thin air make it a formidable foe, pushing physical endurance and mental fortitude to their limits.
HISTORY AND SIGNIFICANCE OF MOUNT EVEREST DAY:
Mount Everest Day commemorates their remarkable achievement and recognises the significance of their expedition in the realms of mountaineering and exploration.
May 29 was chosen as the date for this celebration because it commemorates Hillary and Norgay’s ascent of the world’s tallest peak, an extraordinary feat that captivated the world’s attention.
WHO ARE TENZING NORGAR AND EDMUND HILLARY:
Edmund Hillary, a New Zealand beekeeper, had prior mountain expedition experience, including an attempt on Everest in 1951. Tenzing Norgay, a skilled climber, and revered Sherpa, was no stranger to mountain challenges. They formed a formidable team, combining their expertise, strength, and knowledge to take on the difficult task ahead.
On the morning of May 29, 1953, the final push to the summit took place. Hillary and Norgay set out on the perilous climb, accompanied by a small team of Sherpas, facing icy slopes, perilous crevasses, and perilous ridges. They meticulously ascended, step by step, inching closer to their ultimate goal, despite biting winds and extreme cold.
After weeks of arduous physical exertion, Hillary and Norgay reached the summit of Mount Everest on this day, making history.
Many people believed that Mount Everest was an unconquerable fortress, an insurmountable challenge that would forever defy human efforts before Hillary and Norgay’s historic climb. Thousands of climbers have attempted to conquer Everest since that historic day, with varying degrees of success.
Mount Everest Day is an annual tribute to Hillary and Norgay’s pioneering spirit, as well as a celebration of the mountain itself. Climbers, adventurers, and mountain enthusiasts from all walks of life gather on this day to honour their legacy, remember their courage, and pay homage to Mount Everest’s awe-inspiring beauty and grandeur.