Sir Edmund Hillary (above), the first man to climb Mount Everest, died Friday at the age of 88, PM Helen Clark said. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

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Sir Hillary, who with Sherpa Tenzing Norgay reached the summit of the world's highest mountain on May 29 1953, had been in increasingly frail health in recent years.

'Sir Ed described himself as an average New Zealander with modest abilities. In reality, he was a colossus,' Ms Clark said in a statement.

'He was an heroic figure who not only 'knocked off' Everest but lived a life of determination, humility, and generosity,' she said.

News of the success of the British-led expedition to the top of the 8,848-metre (29,028-foot) mountain was announced to the public on the day of Queen Elizabeth's coronation on June 2, 1953.

Returning to base camp after the climb, the lanky adventurer greeted friend and expedition colleague George Lowe with probably his most famous words.

He is a colossus WELLINGTON - SIR Edmund Hillary, the unassuming beekeeper who conquered Mount Everest to win renown as one of the 20th century's greatest adventurers, died on Friday, New Zealand's prime minister announced. He was 88. The gangling New Zealander devoted much of his life to aiding the mountain people of Nepal and took his fame in stride, preferring to be called 'Ed' and considering himself just an ordinary man. ... more Hillary: A climber who stood for adventure NEW YORK - FOR a climber, the first time you lay eyes on Everest, it is hard not to think about Edmund Hillary - and try to imagine what it was like when he and Tenzing Norgay topped out on the world's highest peak shortly before noon on May 29, 1953. That Mr Hillary would become a national hero - without revealing until years after Norgay's death that it was Mr Hillary who stepped first onto the summit - said a lot about him. For them both, it was about the adventure, and the brotherhood of the rope. ... more

'George said 'Well how did it go?' and I said, 'Well George, we knocked the bastard off',' Sir Hillary recalled in a later autobiography.

After Everest, Sir Hillary embarked on another great adventure in 1957, establishing New Zealand's Scott Base in Antarctica and leading the first vehicles overland to the South Pole on Jan 3, 1958.

Sir Hillary, a former beekeeper, was the only living New Zealander ever to appear on the country's currency, a national and worldwide hero who used his fame to help the people of Nepal rather than enrich himself.

Himalaya Trust
He set up the Himalaya Trust to support development for the Sherpa people of the Himalayas, building schools and hospitals.

Characteristically, Sir Hillary described himself as a man of modest abilities but with a strong streak of determination.

His fame in the sub-continent led to his being named as New Zealand high commissioner (ambassador) to India in 1984.

His passing was a 'profound loss'
Ms Clark said the passing of Hillary was a profound loss for New Zealand.

'The legacy of Sir Edmund Hillary will live on. His exploits continue to inspire new generations of New Zealanders, as they have for more than half a century already,' Ms Clark said.

'The legendary mountaineer, adventurer, and philanthropist is the best-known New Zealander ever to have lived.'

'But most of all he was a quintessential Kiwi. He was ours - from his craggy appearance and laconic style to his directness and honesty. All New Zealanders will deeply mourn his passing.'

Ms Alexa Johnston, who wrote 'Sir Edmund Hillary - An Extraordinary Life', said Sir Hillary was complex but his defining characteristics were incredible persistence and generosity to others.

He's hard on himself and he can demand a lot from people but he is also not vindictive and he is able to forgive people if they don't measure up,' Ms Johnston said. -- AFP

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