Attn Kiwi Ladies-Sir Edmund..

[crazycanuck]

I'm sorry to hear of the loss of Sir Edmund Hillary. I know how much he means to NZ and my dear kiwi man is sad

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/...ectid=10482156

First Sir Peter Blake now Sir Edmund

Raise a glass & give a toast to this amazing man.

[solobiker]

Just heard the news. Truely inspiring man.. RIP

[MillieNZ]

Couldn't believe the news when I heard it on the radio.........
He had been sick for a while, but I guess everyone hoped he'd just live forever as he seemed to have done..... Such a national hero

He was a truly amazing man who remained so modest....... and we should celebrate his life and what he achieved ...

[kiwi girl]

Its really hard to explain the place Sir Ed has in New Zealanders hearts - not just for climbing everest and driving a tractor to the South Pole but for all his work in Nepal. I think that such a humble and down to earth man who acheived so much gets to the nub of what we would like to think we are about as a nation. I was watching the tennis on tv and when they announced it to the crowd there you could hear the gasps (I'd seen about it on the net earlier.)

The pub where I normally drink has quite a few links with Antarctica (it was where Scott had his farewell dinner before heading down to the ice and a lot of people from the US Antarctic program drink there when they are passing through Christchurch). There is a picture of Hilary at a Scott commeration dinner that was held at the pub on the wall. Even though I am still on holiday I feel a strong urge to go into town and popping in. Some of the people I know from there have actually been to Antarctica with Hilary in recent years. (I'll need to check if BF can make it for a drink - he works for the local paper and I expect they are racing to do a whole bunch of tribute stuff).

[sbctwin]

Sorry to hear of this great loss and especially for you NZ'ers....

[maillotpois]

Not a NZ-er here, but an avid climbing fan.

Sad news.

[teigyr]

I heard of him through Monty Python many many years ago. I see him as inspirational and brave but can only imagine what those local to him think.

[RoadRaven]

We don't listen to the radio (no reception) and we don't get any paper... so the first we heard of it was when we went down to help with the setting up/marshalling of the Elite National Time Trial Competition... one of our fellow club members told us.

We flew the flag at half-mast at the prize giving.

We watched one of the documentaries about the conquering of the mountain... my youngest two knew a-surprising-lot... they have been taught well at school

[DirtDiva]

He was an amazing man who represented the very best of what New Zealand and New Zealanders are all about. R.I.P. Sir Ed.

[Bad JuJu]

I'm not from NZ, and have never been a climber, but Sir Edmund was a hero of my youth. I was born in 1952, and I remember my uncle telling me the story when I was quite young--maybe 4 or 5. It's funny what makes an impression on you and what bits you remember from early childhood.

I ended up naming my first kitten Hillary--because she loved to climb!

[Popoki_Nui]

I just watched a great essay on Discovery Channel about Sir Hillary and Tenzing Norgay. What amazing men, what incredible courage. Shame on me for not knowing all the other wonderful humanitarian things Edmund Hillary accomplished as well.

Condolences to New Zealand for a great loss.

~Sher.