Sherpa Tenzing Norgay, of Nepal, and Sir Edmund Hillary, of New Zealand, scaled Sagarmatha (Mt Everest) on this day 72 years ago, becoming the first to stand on its 8848m summit.
Ajax Banstola, 11, said the story was ‘‘one of the coolest adventures in history’’.
Hillary and Norgay began their final push for the summit at 6.30am on May 29, 1953.
Backed by an expedition of more than 400 people led by Colonel John Hunt, they set off from base camp on the long journey to the top.
‘‘Their resilience, teamwork, the effort is honestly legendary, but a thing we should all remember is they did it together, not alone. It would be really hard alone,’’ Ajax said.
‘‘They did it together as friends.’’
Ajax has a personal connection to both Nepal and New Zealand.
‘‘I was born in Pokhara, a lovely city [in Nepal] and I came here when I was 3 years old, really small.
‘‘But my dad and my mum, they always share stories about how or what I did when I was small.’’
The city sits near the Annapurna mountain range, which contains some of the world’s highest peaks.
The tale of Norgay and Hillary resonates with Ajax because of his connection to both countries.
‘‘To me, Sagarmatha Everest Day is more than just remembering a climb.
‘‘It is about two amazing people, one from Nepal, where I was born, and one from New Zealand, where I now live.
‘‘It is like their story is part of my story too.’’
Ajax said Norgay was a true mountain expert.
Hillary, a beekeeper from Auckland, also showed guts and skill, he said.
For Ajax the best part was they respected each other.
‘‘They came from totally different worlds, but they worked together like champions.
‘‘That is what makes this story so special.’’
