On to the Summit: We Reach the Top
by Tenzing Norgay
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In this first-hand account, Tenzing Norgay describes reaching the summit of Mount Everest with Edmund Hillary on 29 May 1953. Setting out from Camp Nine, the two men take turns leading and following, roped together as a team. Tenzing carries four flags, Britain, the United Nations, Nepal (given by Colonel Hunt) and India (his own). They reach the flattened summit almost together. Tenzing refuses the "who was first?" controversy, insisting they climbed as one team and later signing a pact with Hillary and Hunt in Kathmandu. On top, his first feeling is gratitude to God after six earlier failures; he leaves offerings, including his daughter Nima's little blue pencil, and remembers his friend Lambert whose red scarf he wore. After about fifteen minutes they begin the more dangerous descent, needing greater 'husiar' (caution), and are joyfully greeted by their companions.
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'On to the Summit: We Reach the Top' is Tenzing Norgay's own account of the historic first ascent of Mount Everest with Edmund Hillary on 29 May 1953. It captures both the physical challenge of the climb and the deep human values of teamwork, patriotism, gratitude and humility.
The final climb as a team
Leaving Camp Nine on Friday morning, Tenzing is determined to reach the top "even if I die." He and Hillary alternate the lead all the way, the man in front cuts the steps and breaks the way, while the man who follows acts as the "anchor." Roped together, they cross the south face, climb a steep line of rocks and a snow-covered incline, and reach the small flattened summit almost together.
The rope between them is described as a symbol: it ties them together so that "one could not move without the other." They are not two individuals but a team. Tenzing therefore dismisses the later "Who was first?" controversy as childish, and he, Hillary and Colonel Hunt sign a pact in Kathmandu (22 June 1953) stating they reached the summit almost together and embraced in joy.
On the roof of the world
Tenzing carries four flags, Britain, the United Nations and Nepal (entrusted to him by Colonel Hunt) and India (his own, with Hunt's glad permission). On the summit he ties them to his ice axe while Hillary photographs him. His very first thought is a sense of gratitude to God, who has blessed him with success after he had failed six times before.
As a devout Buddhist he offers a silent prayer and leaves offerings, biscuits, candy and a little blue pencil that his youngest daughter Nima had asked him to place on top as her offering. He wears the red scarf given by his great friend Lambert, leader of the 1952 Swiss expedition, and feels Lambert is with him. Though thirsty, he finds his water frozen. He feels not tired but exhilarated; the hills below look like Gods and Goddesses and the plains like a broken map.
The dangerous descent
They stay on the summit a little over fifteen minutes, lucky that no gale sweeps them off. Tenzing's next concern is getting down safely. On the descent he walks behind Hillary, holding the rope tightly, determined that his partner descends safely. He notes the climb down is more difficult and dangerous than the climb up and needs more 'husiar' (caution).
Reaching Camp Nine, he thanks God they have been spared an accident. Nearer Camp Eight he signals success with a thumbs-up to Noyce and Lowe, whose faces flush with joy. Lowe and Noyce climb up to meet them with tea and coffee; though one welcome cup smells of kerosene, Tenzing gratefully enjoys it because of the trouble taken to bring it, a small, warm human touch after a historic feat.