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Tenzing Norgay

by Genevieve from Boca Raton

"If I know I make this much trouble, I never climb Everest."
Norgay  (http://farm1.static.flickr.com/1/772483_b39757cece.jpg)
Norgay (http://farm1.static.flickr.com/1/772483_b39757cece.jpg)

He was a Sherpa; members of people who often serve as helpers on mountain-climbing expeditions. In Nepal, he helped climbers scale the largest mountain in the world, Mount Everest. His name was Tenzing Norgay and he, with a New Zealand climber, made it to the peak of Everest. Norgay was saddened many times but never gave up on making it to Mt. Everest’s summit.

Tenzing Norgay
Tenzing Norgay

On May 15, 1914, Tenzing Norgay was born in a small mountain village in Nepal. He was born to modest Buddhist parents who lived in Solo Khumbu Valley. Norgay was the 11th out of 13 children. When he was young, his parents brought him to a lama for teachings. The lama predicted that Norgay would do great things. The lama was definitely right.

Tenzing Norgay (http://media-2.web.britannica.com/eb-media/68/9068-004-77746DBB.jpg)
Tenzing Norgay (http://media-2.web.britannica.com/eb-media/68/9068-004-77746DBB.jpg)

At only 19 years old, Norgay went on his first expedition. This expedition wasn’t a serious summit attempt. The party managed to climb many additional peaks around Everest. They only wanted to study the colossal mountain from a distance. Norgay was deeply disappointed when he didn’t take advantage of the perfect day to go any higher. But he wasn’t thinking about giving up just yet.

Tenzing Norgay (http://attractions.uptake.com/blog/files/2009/06/tenzing_norgay.gif)
Tenzing Norgay (http://attractions.uptake.com/blog/files/2009/06/tenzing_norgay.gif)

The next year, the largest expedition so far was ready to launch and Norgay was truly excited. The team on the expedition had very high hopes on climbing extremely far. Sadly, because of the weather conditions, Leader Hugh Ruttledge called off the expedition. Once again, it was a disappointing lesson for Norgay, but he continued his job. He knew he could go farther than any man before him.

Edmund Hillary and Norgay (http://sharepublic.trincoll.edu/SiteDirectory/FYSM156/edropkin/Lists/Photos/Edmund%20Hillary%20and%20Tenzing%20Norgay.jpg)
Edmund Hillary and Norgay (http://sharepublic.trincoll.edu/SiteDirectory/FYSM156/edropkin/Lists/Photos/Edmund%20Hillary%20and%20Tenzing%20Norgay.jpg)

On March 1, 1953, Norgay started off for Katmandu with 20 other handpicked Sherpas to meet with the new expedition members. Once they were there, he met Edmund Hillary, a New Zealand climber who had many thoughts of going as high as possible. Right away, they knew they were a strong team together. Once everyone was at Camp VII (7), the other Sherpas begged Norgay for no one to go any higher. They felt he was trying to take away their lives. Norgay cared for anyone and everyone, so he let them stay, but he and Hillary kept going. Finally, Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary made it to the top of Mt. Everest, and were the first people to do so.

Heroes go beyond themselves to help others, and that’s what Norgay did for Hillary and himself. He once said “If it is a shame to be the second man on Mount Everest, then I will have to live with this shame.” He meant that it’s still a great honor to have, even if he isn’t number one. Tenzing Norgay’s accomplishments show everyone to never give up no matter how many times they try.

Page created on 10/12/2010 12:00:00 AM

Last edited 10/12/2010 12:00:00 AM

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