Edmund Hillary to miss Nepal trip

Edmund Hillary, who was first to conquer Mount Everest along with his Sherpa guide more than 50 years ago, will miss his annual trip to this Himalayan nation where he is considered a hero, a close associate said today.

Hillary, 85, has visited Nepal almost every year to review work by the Himalayan Trust, which he set up to help thousands of people in the Everest region.

“This year he has cancelled his trip to Nepal for health reasons,” said Ang Rita, a close associate who runs his Himalayan Trust office in Nepal.

Hillary scaled the 29,035ft world’s highest mountain on May 29, 1953 with Sherpa guide Tenzing Norgay, who died in 1986.

The Himalayan Trust has helped build an airport near the mountain, as well as two hospitals, 13 health clinics and about 30 schools in the region that have benefited an estimated 100,000 people.

Hillary was chief guest during the golden jubilee celebrations of the conquest of Everest in 2003. He was taken around in horse-driven chariots in the Nepalese capital Kathmandu, cheered by the thousands of people and honoured by Nepal’s King Gyanendra.

Since Hillary and Norgay conquered Everest, more than 1,400 climbers have scaled the mountain. About 180 people have died in the attempt, including two who have died so far this year.