[(No Latitude for Error)] [Author: Sir Edmund Hillary] published on

by Edmund Hillary

It was his enthusiasm for polar exploration that made him plan and train the New Zealand expedition with the greatest efficiency, so that all his vital tasks were completed ahead of schedule. And then, with the surveying, mapping and geologising well in hand and one more depot that Fuchs had asked for well established and stocked, with the tractor drivers trained in crevasse-crossing and in navigating in white-outs, what else was there left for Hillary to do but lead his train of four men in three farm tractors and their attendant sledges on a "reconnaissance" dash for the Pole? They all seem to have enjoyed the day to day fight against the elements, responding magnificently to Hillary's undoubted dash and drive and sheer dogged will-power.

Genres: Travel

Paperback

First published January 1, 1961

About the author

Sir Edmund Percival Hillary KG ONZ KBE was a New Zealand mountaineer, explorer, and philanthropist. On 29 May 1953, Hillary and Nepalese Sherpa mountaineer Tenzing Norgay became the first climbers confirmed to have reached the summit of Mount Everest. They were part of the ninth British expedition to Everest, led by John Hunt. From 1985 to 1988 he served as New Zealand's High Commissioner to India and Bangladesh and concurrently as Ambassador to Nepal.

Hillary became interested in mountaineering while in secondary school. He made his first major climb in 1939, reaching the summit of Mount Ollivier. He served in the Royal New Zealand Air Force as a navigator during World War II. Prior to the Everest expedition, Hillary had been part of the British reconnaissance expedition to the mountain in 1951 as well as an unsuccessful attempt to climb Cho Oyu in 1952. As part of the Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition he reached the South Pole overland in 1958. He subsequently reached the North Pole, making him the first person to reach both poles and summit Everest.

Following his ascent of Everest, Hillary devoted himself to assisting the Sherpa people of Nepal through the Himalayan Trust, which he established. His efforts are credited with the construction of many schools and hospitals in Nepal. Hillary had numerous honours conferred upon him, including the Order of the Garter in 1995. Upon his death in 2008, he was given a state funeral in New Zealand.

Reviews

[Daren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable read in Hillary's style. This isn't the first Trans-Antarctic Crossing book I have read, but it is certainly the most up-beat about the aftermath, where the media played up a significant rift in the relationship of Hillary and Fuchs after Hillary decided to proceed on to the South Pole rather than wait at the last depot for several weeks for Fuchs to arrive.
Doubtlessly it was the correct decision, and in this book Hillary plays down any fallout.
Interestingly, immediately after i read this book I read The Crossing of Antarctica: Original Photographs from the Epic Journey That Fulfilled Shackleton's Dream by George Lowe, and in that book, written by multiple contributors with various viewpoints, Peter Fuchs (Bunny's son) wrote: "Though the world's press whipping up a frenzy about a supposed 'race', the two leaders were proud of each others achievements." P29

Excellent stars, rounded down.