Sir Edmund Hillary dead

Part of the two-man history-making team to first reach the summit of Mt. Everest died today. Sir Edmund Hillary was 88. A beekeeper by trade, the New Zealander was tapped by the British to be part of an expedition that would succeed where others had failed. The group was made up of seasoned British adventurers who had their sights set on the world's tallest peak. However, as they neared the start of the final ascent, they couldn't go on. Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, a Nepalese Sherpa continued undaunted. They navigated the final obstacle that stood in their way, a 40-foot cliff that was later dubbed the Hillary Step, before summitting on May 29, 1953. A remarkable achievement, the climb made headlines across the world. Hillary and Norgay were hailed as heroes and, with his newfound notoriety, Hillary began a campaign of charity and goodwill. He spear-headed efforts to build schools and get electricity to remote Himalayan villages. A man who exhibited the indomitable spirit of humanity, Hillary and his story inspired many.

The coolest part about the climb to me is that they did it with equipment that is considered shitty by today's standards. There are now fixed ropes where Hillary and Norgay climbed with nothing but ice axes and those spiky shoe things. These guys were tough and they blazed a trail that few dare to follow.