Magic Kiwis - Sir Edmund Hillary

To climb up Everest was the physical high point of my life, but I wouldn’t say it’s the most satisfying thing I’ve ever done. I see it more as a stepping stone to more satisfying projects, particularly this school here in Nepal.

– Edmund Hillary

I’m not really very good at accepting orders anyway ...

– Edmund Hillary begins explaining his decision to go for the pole during the trans-Antarctic expedition

Even now, some 40 years later, I can still remember the intense pleasure of that day: the exhilaration of the ascent ... what a thrill it was when I finally reached the summit. It was certainly one of the happiest days of my life.

– Edmund Hillary, atop Mt Ollivier with son Peter, recalls first climbing it as a 20-year-old

I did not have a great feeling of tremendous excitement and exhilaration. Tenzing, I think was more affected that I was, really. I, in the rather square sort of Angol-Saxon fashion ... I put out my arm to shake him by the hand. but that wasn’t good enough for him. He threw his arms around my shoulders and I threw my arms around his shoulders and we had a good little hug on top of the mountain.

– Edmund Hillary describes his feelings atop Everest