Hillary praises Everest climb

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33963, 2 October 1975, Page 7

Hillary praises Everest climb

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter —CopyrightJ • KATMANDU. ' Sir Edmund Hillary i regards the latest conquest of Everest as an astonishing effort, according to a message received here. “It was an astonishing ef-l fort to climb Everest during the monsoon,” he commented' on last week’s success by the British expedition headed by I Chris Bonington. “Maybe the monsoon snow i was even an advantage, and made the route much easier, technically,” said Sir Edmund I who, with Sherpa Tensing | Norkay, was the first man to conquer Everest. Hillarv sent his message to Reuter from Phaphlu village in the hills south-west of Everest. He is building a hospital at Phaphlu for the Sherpa population financed by his

Himalayan Trust, and the New Zealand Government. “Once again Chris Bonington has proved himself the outstanding climbing leader of present day expeditions,” Sir Edmund said. The British team which put two men on the top of Everest last Wednesday made the climb in a record 33 days despite using the hitherto unconquered south-west face. Bonington also led the British team which, in 1972, I first conquered the south face lof Annapura in the Hima- ! layas. Douglas Haston, one of the two men to reach Everest’s i summit last week, was also 'on that expedition.