This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7183037.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Tributes for Everest 'colossus' Tributes for Everest 'colossus'
(about 2 hours later)
Tributes have been paid to Sir Edmund Hillary, who made the first ascent of the world's highest peak, Mount Everest, after he died aged 88. Tributes have been paid to Sir Edmund Hillary, the first man to reach the top of the world's highest peak, Mount Everest, after he died aged 88.
New Zealand PM Helen Clark said a state funeral would be held for Sir Edmund, while Queen Elizabeth II said she was "very saddened" by his death.New Zealand PM Helen Clark said a state funeral would be held for Sir Edmund, while Queen Elizabeth II said she was "very saddened" by his death.
Nepali Sherpas lit butter lamps and offered special Buddhist prayers in monasteries for his reincarnation. Nepali Sherpas lit lamps and offered special Buddhist prayers in monasteries for his reincarnation.
Sir Edmund died of a heart attack at Auckland Hospital. Sir Edmund conquered the peak with Tenzing Norgay on 29 May 1953.
The first living New Zealander to appear on a banknote, his health had reportedly been failing since April, when he suffered a fall during a visit to Nepal.The first living New Zealander to appear on a banknote, his health had reportedly been failing since April, when he suffered a fall during a visit to Nepal.
'Colossus' 'Legendary'
Announcing Sir Edmund's death in Auckland, New Zealand's prime minister described him as a "colossus". Flags at the New Zealand parliament in Wellington and at the Scott Base in Antarctica were at half mast as a mark of respect to the climber, who died of a heart attack at Auckland Hospital at 0900 local time Friday (2000 GMT Thursday).
He was an heroic figure who not only 'knocked off' Everest but lived a life of determination, humility and generosity Helen ClarkNew Zealand Prime Minister Obituary: Sir Edmund HillarySir Edmund's life in pictures href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7183346.stm">Nepal pays tribute All New Zealanders will deeply mourn his passing Helen ClarkNew Zealand PM Obituary: Sir Edmund HillarySir Edmund's life in pictures href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/7183346.stm">Nepal pays tribute
New Zealand's prime minister described him as a "colossus".
"The legendary mountaineer, adventurer, and philanthropist is the best-known New Zealander ever to have lived," Ms Clark said in a statement."The legendary mountaineer, adventurer, and philanthropist is the best-known New Zealander ever to have lived," Ms Clark said in a statement.
"But most of all he was a quintessential Kiwi." "But most of all he was a quintessential Kiwi.
"He was ours - from his craggy appearance to laconic style to his directness and honesty. All New Zealanders will deeply mourn his passing." "He was ours - from his craggy appearance to laconic style, to his directness and honesty. All New Zealanders will deeply mourn his passing."
Ms Clark said Sir Edmund's exploits would "continue to inspire new generations of New Zealanders, as they have for more than half a century already".
Buckingham Palace in London said the Queen was sending a personal message of sympathy to Sir Edmund's widow and family.
'Knocked off''Knocked off'
Sir Edmund was knighted by the Queen for his achievement in 1953, and 42 years later was awarded her highest award for chivalry - the Order of the Garter. Buckingham Palace in London said the Queen was sending a personal message of sympathy to Sir Edmund's widow and family.
The climber was 33 years old when he and Tenzing Norgay become the first men to climb the 8,850m (29,035ft) peak, just days before the monarch's coronation.
Before reaching base camp, ascent team walked 175 miles (282km) from Kathmandu and spent three weeks acclimatisingOn May 26 initial attempt came within 300ft (91m) of summit, with final bid two days laterFive man team helped Hillary and Norgay to precarious point high up mountain where pair spent night in tentNext morning they set out at 0630, reaching summit 1130Source: Royal Geographical SocietyBefore reaching base camp, ascent team walked 175 miles (282km) from Kathmandu and spent three weeks acclimatisingOn May 26 initial attempt came within 300ft (91m) of summit, with final bid two days laterFive man team helped Hillary and Norgay to precarious point high up mountain where pair spent night in tentNext morning they set out at 0630, reaching summit 1130Source: Royal Geographical Society
He was 33 years old when he became the first man to climb the 8,850m (29,035ft) peak, with Tenzing Norgay, on 29 May 1953.
Returning to Everest's South Col camp, he famously greeted another member of the British expedition group with the words: "Well, George, we've knocked the bastard off."Returning to Everest's South Col camp, he famously greeted another member of the British expedition group with the words: "Well, George, we've knocked the bastard off."
His climbing partner died in 1986 but his son, Jamling Tenzing Norgay, paid tribute to Sir Edmund as "a great explorer". Sir Edmund was knighted that year by the Queen for his achievement, and 42 years later was awarded her highest award for chivalry - the Order of the Garter.
"But the most important of all is that he was humble man, a simple man," he added. His climbing partner died in 1986 but his son, Jamling Tenzing Norgay, said Sir Edmund was "a great explorer".
"The most important of all is that he was humble man, a simple man," he added.
The Sherpa community in Nepal said they were planning a memorial to the man they considered a second father.The Sherpa community in Nepal said they were planning a memorial to the man they considered a second father.
After the ascent, Sir Edmund led a number of expeditions to the South Pole and devoted his life to helping the ethnic Sherpas of Nepal's Khumbu region. "I lit butter lamps and offered prayers for his reincarnation as a human being," said Ang Rita Sherpa, 60.
After scaling Everest, Sir Edmund led a number of expeditions to the South Pole and devoted his life to helping the ethnic Sherpas of Nepal's Khumbu region.
Summit race
His Himalayan Trust has helped build hospitals, clinics, bridges, airstrips and nearly 30 schools. He was made an honorary Nepalese citizen in 2003.His Himalayan Trust has helped build hospitals, clinics, bridges, airstrips and nearly 30 schools. He was made an honorary Nepalese citizen in 2003.
Race to the summit To my great delight I realised we were on top of Mount Everest and that the whole world spread out below us Sir Edmund Hillary class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7182414.stm">'My climb with Hillary' class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=4039&edition=1">Sir Edmund: Your tributes
The BBC's Greg Ward in Auckland says Sir Edmund was arguably the most respected man in New Zealand. Born in Auckland on 19 July 1919, Sir Edmund began climbing mountains in his native country as a teenager and soon earned renown as an ice climber.
Born in Auckland on 19 July 1919, Sir Edmund began climbing mountains in his native country as a teenager and soon earned renown as an ice climber. To my great delight I realised we were on top of Mount Everest and that the whole world spread out below us Sir Edmund Hillary 'My climb with Hillary'Sir Edmund: Your tributes
By the time he attempted his ascent of Everest in 1953 as part of an expedition led by the British climber, Sir John Hunt, seven previous expeditions to the top of the mountain had failed.By the time he attempted his ascent of Everest in 1953 as part of an expedition led by the British climber, Sir John Hunt, seven previous expeditions to the top of the mountain had failed.
After a gruelling climb up the southern face, battling the effects of high altitude and bad weather, Sir Edmund and Tenzing Norgay managed to reach the peak at 1130 local time on 29 May.After a gruelling climb up the southern face, battling the effects of high altitude and bad weather, Sir Edmund and Tenzing Norgay managed to reach the peak at 1130 local time on 29 May.
"I continued hacking steps along the ridge and then up a few more to the right... to my great delight I realised we were on top of Mount Everest and that the whole world spread out below us," Sir Edmund said."I continued hacking steps along the ridge and then up a few more to the right... to my great delight I realised we were on top of Mount Everest and that the whole world spread out below us," Sir Edmund said.
The two men hugged each other with relief and joy but only stayed on the summit for 15 minutes because they were low on oxygen. The two men only stayed on the summit for 15 minutes because they were low on oxygen.
Sir Edmund took several photographs of the scenery and of Tenzing waving flags of Britain, Nepal, the UN and India.
News of the conquest of Everest did not reach the outside world until 2 June, the eve of the Queen Elizabeth II's coronation.