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Mount Everest: Hillary and Tenzing to have peaks named after them Mount Everest: Hillary and Tenzing to have peaks named after them
(12 days later)
Nepal is set to name two Himalayan peaks after Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, the men who first climbed Mount Everest 60 years ago.Nepal is set to name two Himalayan peaks after Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, the men who first climbed Mount Everest 60 years ago.
Hillary, a New Zealander, and Tenzing, who grew up in the valleys around the 8,850-metre (29,035-foot) peak, reached the top of the world's highest mountain on 29 May 1953 as part of a British expedition.Hillary, a New Zealander, and Tenzing, who grew up in the valleys around the 8,850-metre (29,035-foot) peak, reached the top of the world's highest mountain on 29 May 1953 as part of a British expedition.
A government panel has now recommended that two unnamed mountains be called Hillary Peak and Tenzing Peak "to honour their contribution to mountaineering in Nepal", Ang Tshering Sherpa, a former president of the Nepal Mountaineering Association, said.A government panel has now recommended that two unnamed mountains be called Hillary Peak and Tenzing Peak "to honour their contribution to mountaineering in Nepal", Ang Tshering Sherpa, a former president of the Nepal Mountaineering Association, said.
Mohan Krishna Sapkota, at the Nepali Ministry of Tourism, said a final decision would be taken by ministers.Mohan Krishna Sapkota, at the Nepali Ministry of Tourism, said a final decision would be taken by ministers.
The two peaks – Hillary's at 7,681m and Tenzing's at 7,916m – have never been climbed and are among a batch of new summits expected to be opened to foreigners next spring. Officials hope the peaks will attract more climbers and help boost tourism in Nepal, home to eight of the world's 14 highest mountains.The two peaks – Hillary's at 7,681m and Tenzing's at 7,916m – have never been climbed and are among a batch of new summits expected to be opened to foreigners next spring. Officials hope the peaks will attract more climbers and help boost tourism in Nepal, home to eight of the world's 14 highest mountains.
Tourism now accounts for about 4% of Nepal's economy and employs tens of thousands of people.Tourism now accounts for about 4% of Nepal's economy and employs tens of thousands of people.
Hillary died in 2008, aged 88. Tenzing died in 1986, aged 72.Hillary died in 2008, aged 88. Tenzing died in 1986, aged 72.
Relatives of Tenzing have long said he has not received sufficient international recognition, especially from the UK government, for his achievements.Relatives of Tenzing have long said he has not received sufficient international recognition, especially from the UK government, for his achievements.
The 1953 British expedition was under intense pressure to climb the mountain. A Swiss team had narrowly failed the year before and a French team was due to try the following spring. Norgay had climbed to within 200 metres of the summit with the Swiss team, and was the mountaineer with the most Everest experience on the British expedition.The 1953 British expedition was under intense pressure to climb the mountain. A Swiss team had narrowly failed the year before and a French team was due to try the following spring. Norgay had climbed to within 200 metres of the summit with the Swiss team, and was the mountaineer with the most Everest experience on the British expedition.
Expedition leaders had paired Norgay with Hillary to form the strongest possible summit team. The two men left their high camp at 8,500m at 6.30am on 29 May and reached the summit five hours later, equipped with pioneering oxygen sets.Expedition leaders had paired Norgay with Hillary to form the strongest possible summit team. The two men left their high camp at 8,500m at 6.30am on 29 May and reached the summit five hours later, equipped with pioneering oxygen sets.
About 4,000 climbers have since reached the summit, among them an 80-year-old Japanese man, an American teenager and a blind person. Two Nepali sherpas have reached the top a record 21 times each.About 4,000 climbers have since reached the summit, among them an 80-year-old Japanese man, an American teenager and a blind person. Two Nepali sherpas have reached the top a record 21 times each.
Harsh weather, avalanches and treacherous terrain are constant dangers. More than 240 climbers have died on both sides of Everest, which can also be scaled from China.Harsh weather, avalanches and treacherous terrain are constant dangers. More than 240 climbers have died on both sides of Everest, which can also be scaled from China.
There are also widespread concerns about overcrowding. This year, 520 climbers have reached the summit of Everest. On 19 May, around 150 climbed the last 3,000ft of the peak from Camp IV within hours of each other, causing lengthy delays as mountaineers queued to descend or ascend harder sections.There are also widespread concerns about overcrowding. This year, 520 climbers have reached the summit of Everest. On 19 May, around 150 climbed the last 3,000ft of the peak from Camp IV within hours of each other, causing lengthy delays as mountaineers queued to descend or ascend harder sections.
One controversial suggestion is to install a ladder on the famous "Hillary step", a cliff of rock and ice which is the last obstacle before the summit when the mountain is climbed by the usual South Col route.One controversial suggestion is to install a ladder on the famous "Hillary step", a cliff of rock and ice which is the last obstacle before the summit when the mountain is climbed by the usual South Col route.
A small airport which Hillary built in the 1960s at Lukla, the gateway to Everest, has already been named after the mountaineer and Tenzing. Besides conservation work, Hillary helped build schools, hospitals, water supply schemes and trails in the region.A small airport which Hillary built in the 1960s at Lukla, the gateway to Everest, has already been named after the mountaineer and Tenzing. Besides conservation work, Hillary helped build schools, hospitals, water supply schemes and trails in the region.
Two peaks in west Nepal could be named after famed French climbers Maurice Herzog and Louis Lachenal, said Sherpa. In 1950, Herzog and Lachenal became the first climbers to reach the summit of the 8,000-metre Mount Annapurna.Two peaks in west Nepal could be named after famed French climbers Maurice Herzog and Louis Lachenal, said Sherpa. In 1950, Herzog and Lachenal became the first climbers to reach the summit of the 8,000-metre Mount Annapurna.
Just 326 of the more than 1,300 peaks in Nepal are now open to foreign climbers. The fees they pay are a major source of income for the cash-strapped government. About 165 peaks of up to 7,999 metres are likely to be opened to climbers from next year.Just 326 of the more than 1,300 peaks in Nepal are now open to foreign climbers. The fees they pay are a major source of income for the cash-strapped government. About 165 peaks of up to 7,999 metres are likely to be opened to climbers from next year.
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