WORLD : Hillary’s Son Reaches Peak of Mt. Everest on 4th Attempt
The son of the man who first climbed Mt. Everest reached the peak of the world’s highest mountain today, following an American team and members of a three-nation peace climb to the crowded summit.
Peter Hillary, son of Sir Edmund Hillary, reached the top of the 29,029-foot peak 37 years after his father and Sherpa guide Tenzing Norgay pioneered the way. It was Peter’s fourth attempt.
Hillary, 36, followed the traditional southeastern route first used by his father. He reached the top at 7:30 a.m. with the two leaders of an eight-member New Zealand team.
“It’s been a bit of a struggle over the years, but we’re thrilled to bits that you’re finally standing on top of the old mountain,” Sir Edmund told his son by satellite telephone from Auckland.
Peter Hillary said it had been a long, hard morning and he was feeling “absolutely over the moon” at reaching the summit.
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