In 1953, New Zealand native Edmund Hillary and Nepali-Indian Sherpa Tenzing Norgay were the first two people to summit Mt. Everest. This incredible accomplishment of putting footprints on top of “the roof of the world” is one of the great feats in exploration history.
Hillary in a three-button tweed jacket, at an appearance with Sherpa Tenzing following the expedition. Getty Images
This success, which some at the time and previous doubted could ever be achieved, is a testament to what can be accomplished by pushing the limits of endurance. The summit was reached on the 1953 expedition, which was the ninth attempt to top Everest.
Towering over the range that is referred to as the “roof of the world”, Everest measures in at am imposing 29,032 ft along the border of China and Nepal. As the tallest mountain in the Himalayas, Everest had tempted mountaineers since the 1850’s.
The Rolex Explorer found its name after being marketed and designed to withstand such an expedition. However it is debated as to whether Hillary wore a Rolex to the summit or left it at basecamp and picked up the ref. 6352 on descent.
A look at the intimidating terrain of Everest.
Photo Credits, Getty Images