Word: zealander
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: all
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
...didn't visualize myself becoming a renowned mountaineer. It happened gradually. I did a lot of hiking in the hills out of Auckland, and then I started modest mountaineering and then I was able to do harder climbs and finally I became a reasonably accomplished mountaineer in the New Zealand Alps and I did a number of treks. I'm inclined to think that happens to a lot of people. Very few suddenly decide they're going to be a world champion at something...
...remember your first brush with fear? The first peak I climbed in [New Zealand's] southern mountains was a very old route, but we had to climb up a long, steep snow-slope. I was aware that if I slipped on the slope that I could possibly injure myself. I was aware that I had to be careful and there was a danger. It was really a very small possibility of danger compared to my later situations, but at that time I was aware of it. Getting up to the top of this little mountain and down again gave...
...became a serious climber on New Zealand's South Island? Yes, but although I did a lot of climbing in New Zealand and a lot of backpacking and walking around the hills, I was really a relatively late starter as a "serious" mountaineer. When I first went to the Himalayas in 1951, I was 31 years old. I really was at my prime, though some would think I was getting on. I think Himalayan climbers tend to mature fairly late. I think most of the successful Himalayan climbers have ranged from 28 to just over 40 really. When...
...gained experience in the Southern Alps, you were part of a group of talented New Zealand climbers including your friend George Lowe, you had joined these British expeditioners and, at 31, off you went to scout Everest? I was involved in two [Himalayan] expeditions in 1951, and then another one 1952, before doing the top of Everest. I remember in 1951 we got to Australia to head for the Himalayas and we were interviewed by a large number of press people in Sydney. When we told them we weren't going to climb Mt. Everest they completely lost interest...
...cookie - came out and said "You're Hillary, aren't you?" And I said "Yeah." And he said, "Congratulations. You know you've done a great job for us!" He got back in his cab and drove of. Now, the contrast was when we arrived back here in New Zealand. There was a big crowd - Mayor of Auckland and all the rest of it. I was put in this great big limousine to be driven off, and the window was down and a big hefty farmer-looking type thrust his hand in, grabbed me by the hand and shook...