(from the New Zealand Tourism Board)Sir Edmund Hilary 1919 - 2008
We remember New Zealand hiking icon Sir Edmund Hillary, who with Tensing Norgay conquered Mt Everest for the first time over 50 years ago. His 1953 climb of the highest mountain on Earth sparked the world's curiosity about New Zealand.
What sort of landscape moulds a person like Sir Edmund Hillary? Something rather wild, with huge mountain ranges, vast tracts of forest and intricately carved river systems. A place where it's easy to get away from houses, phones, towns and cars. A society of free thinkers, who like to go their own way and have their own opinions. Communities where ingenuity is encouraged, and people aren't content to stay indoors.
"In some ways I believe I epitomise the average New Zealander: I have modest abilities, I combine these with a good deal of determination, and I rather like to succeed." Sir Edmund Hillary
We remember New Zealand hiking icon Sir Edmund Hillary, who with Tensing Norgay conquered Mt Everest for the first time over 50 years ago. His 1953 climb of the highest mountain on Earth sparked the world's curiosity about New Zealand.
What sort of landscape moulds a person like Sir Edmund Hillary? Something rather wild, with huge mountain ranges, vast tracts of forest and intricately carved river systems. A place where it's easy to get away from houses, phones, towns and cars. A society of free thinkers, who like to go their own way and have their own opinions. Communities where ingenuity is encouraged, and people aren't content to stay indoors.
"In some ways I believe I epitomise the average New Zealander: I have modest abilities, I combine these with a good deal of determination, and I rather like to succeed." Sir Edmund Hillary
New Zealand made Sir Edmund Hillary, who with Tensing Norgay conquered Mt Everest for the first time 50 years ago. And Sir Edmund Hillary has helped to make New Zealand. The publicity he generated with his 1953 climb sparked the world's curiosity about the island nation in the south western corner of the Pacific.
Hillary's interest in mountaineering began on a school trip to Mount Ruapehu, a tall volcano in the central North Island. In summer, when the mountain's snow cover shrinks to a small top knot, climbers can scramble over rugged lava flows and scree slopes to the summit. From the top, it's possible to see both coasts of the island. This region is also home to a one day walk known as the Tongariro Crossing. Steaming volcanic craters and weird rock formations make the crossing an otherworldly experience.
After WWII, in preparation for his assault on Everest, Hillary climbed the Southern Alps in summer and winter. Today, customised guiding makes it possible for fit non-climbers to follow in at least some of Hillary's footsteps. In the Mount Cook region, treks across mountain passes provide plenty of challenge for first-timers, while experienced mountaineers have a choice of thirty peaks over 3000m, most of which have long glacier approaches, which are serious climbs in their own right.
Hillary often praises his home country as a destination for adventurers. And by adventure, he means across country as well as straight up. Around Fiordland and Mount Aspiring National Park, trekkers can vanish into the wilderness for days at a time. The Routeburn, Hollyford and Milford tracks are well known - and they thoroughly deserve their fame. The Hump Ridge Track, which begins on the south coast of Southland, is one of the country's newest walking adventures. Highlights include historic wooden viaducts and coastal segments with seal encounters.
Hillary often praises his home country as a destination for adventurers. And by adventure, he means across country as well as straight up. Around Fiordland and Mount Aspiring National Park, trekkers can vanish into the wilderness for days at a time. The Routeburn, Hollyford and Milford tracks are well known - and they thoroughly deserve their fame. The Hump Ridge Track, which begins on the south coast of Southland, is one of the country's newest walking adventures. Highlights include historic wooden viaducts and coastal segments with seal encounters.
Those who visit New Zealand to conquer mountains and tracks will also enjoy the other forms of 'expeditionary' adventure that thrive in the remarkable landscape. Cycling through the vineyards of the Hawke's Bay, kayaking around the Abel Tasman National Park and sailing around the Bay of Islands are just some of the possibilities.
Featured Journal :
QUEEN CHARLOTTE WALKWAY
Dave Armstrong finds rugged bush, picturesque sea views, friendly wildlife, and fascinating history on one of New Zealand's best-kept secrets - the Queen Charlotte Walkway.
Featured Activity:
NATIONAL PARKS
Take the time to view the world the way it once was by visiting a National Park in New Zealand.
RELATED LINKS :
Featured Journal :
QUEEN CHARLOTTE WALKWAY
Dave Armstrong finds rugged bush, picturesque sea views, friendly wildlife, and fascinating history on one of New Zealand's best-kept secrets - the Queen Charlotte Walkway.
Featured Activity:
NATIONAL PARKS
Take the time to view the world the way it once was by visiting a National Park in New Zealand.
RELATED LINKS :
newzealand.com pages:
Walking and Trekking View a list of operators that offer this type of activity in New Zealand
Other Sites:
Department of Conservation For information on tracks, campsites, permits etc
http://www.hillarytrust.co.nz/ The Hillary Trust was set up to increase awareness and raise funds for the continuation of Sir Edmund Hillary's work
FAST FACT: New Zealanders are known for their colourful turns of phrase. When Sir Edmund Hillary reported his Everest success to the expedition leader, he simply said "Well George, we knocked the bastard off". Visitors to New Zealand are often amused by local expressions.
"In the wop-wops" is a phrase you might encounter if you were walking a track in some other remote place. "Taking a tiki tour" is a way of explaining a walk that went the long way around. "Sparrow’s fart" describes an extremely early start to a hiking expedition.
