In 1953, a British expedition set out to conquer the highest peak in the world–Mount Everest. The team included 14 climbers and 350 porters to carry their equipment! Weather conditions were good and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay led them expertly forward. Edmund Hillary enjoyed the thrill and challenge of climbing. But as the trek progressed, he found it increasingly difficult to sleep or even rest for more than a few hours at a time. Once, Hillary slipped and fell down a crevasse. It was only his presence of mind and the rope linking him to the other climbers that kept him safe. With each challenge, the climbers grew more determined. Finally, they were just 800 metres from the summit. Now came the most difficult part. With heavy weatherproof clothing and oxygen masks, the climbers scaled up the extremely steep summit. They had done it! Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay were the first men to conquer Mount Everest!
Conquering Everest
