The death of Sir Edmund Hillary has prompted remembrances across the globe, from the BBC to World Hum. The most common word used? Inspiration.
Journalists, politicians, and travel writers worldwide are talking about Hillary’s thirst for adventure, his ranking among the great explorers of our planet, his determination and skill, and how these qualities have inspired adventurers and travelers and mountain climbers for decades.
There are two things bothering me about the accolades. The first is epitomized by the remembrance on BBC America last night, a flashback to the Queen’s Coronation Day and the announcement that “Everest has been conquered.” Our way of thinking about nature, mountains in particular, hasn’t changed much since 1953. The thought of “conquering” Everest still gives thousands of people a thrill every year, their fascination etched in heart-stopping detail in Jon Krakauer’s book Into Think Air. We’ve only recently allowed the concept of humans being part of nature creep back into our mindset.
Don’t get me wrong. I love hiking, and have even been known to climb a few mountains. But the challenge implied in the word “conquer” has always confused me. Why does nature have to be something you have to beat? Oh, sure, I know, people now say it’s all about the personal challenge. But it’s not. Not if you look at the language used to describe intrepid travelers chuffing up unmoveable peaks or baring their teeth against raging rivers. “I’ll beat her if it’s the last thing I do” pretty much sums up the attitude.
Sir Edmund Hillary had a better understanding of his relationship with the natural world. Yes, he wanted to climb Everest “because it’s there,” but he also had a reverence for it. He respected it. The generations of climbers who came after him to throw their trash at the mountain’s foot and have Sherpas drag them up to the top just to say they’d done it annoyed the heck out of him.
But more importantly, travelers and adventurers for decades now have missed Hillary’s most important work: not conquering Everest, but using all that skill and determination and passionate drive, as well as the influence he gained through being a public figure, to try to improve the lives of those who lived in Everest’s shadow.
The inspiration here is not about throwing yourself into a foreign world, or against a death-defying natural force, but in realizing that to go is no longer enough. Anybody can go. Anybody can travel. Anybody can come back with fascinating personal experiences and a new understanding of the world around them. But there are few people (Kira Salak is one) who take that extra step that brings travel beyond a selfish personal interest. Until we start seriously exploring space, the age of exploration and adventure is over. It’s humanity that needs exploring, not quirky customs of foreign cultures; the search now is for solidarity.
That’s the true legacy of Sir Edmund Hillary. It’s not enough to climb the mountain, to go home and write your book and pay your bills and nestle back into your consumer society. If you’re intrepid enough to pull yourself up Everest, you can use that energy and determination to make a difference in the lives of the people whose cultures so fascinate you.
The term “conquered” when used against nature has always bothered me as well. Look where that’s gotten us! We are making war on the earth and when it’s finally conquered, what will we do then?
I totally agree that Edmund Hillary should be remembered as much for the work he did in improving the lives of the Himalayan people as for climbing the mountain. I have so much respect for the way he lived his life.
The term “conquered” when used against nature has always bothered me as well. Look where that’s gotten us! We are making war on the earth and when it’s finally conquered, what will we do then?
I totally agree that Edmund Hillary should be remembered as much for the work he did in improving the lives of the Himalayan people as for climbing the mountain. I have so much respect for the way he lived his life.
I would love to go on a trek in Nepal and I would love to climb Kilimanjaro and Macchu Picchu for the views and the scenery and the culture. But generally speaking, I prefer to look at mountains by hiking in the valleys – or perhaps ski down them.
I’m fine with people who genuinely have mountaineering as a hobby and love and respect the place. But Everest has become so democratised that it’s really just a matter of money these days – and the amount of rubbish left on the mountain from various expeditions is criminal.
Good question! Maybe when the earth is “conquered” to our satisfaction it’ll fail to sustain our species and will concentrate instead on growing microbes that consume plastic grocery bags.
I’m absolutely with you about hiking in valleys. I hate to say this, but … is it a guy thing? Where I grew up, hiking was what we did in summer, all the time. And when there were male friends included in the group, we invariably had to climb to the tops of mountains. Not that that wasn’t enjoyable, but if it was all females, we hiked to mountain saddles on focused a lot on getting to a lake we could dip in.
This question has been asked for centuries, whether men have an innate need to “defeat” nature because they’re less a part of it than women are. Who knows. Whether it’s true or not, I hope we’re getting back to a more balanced view of things. I think Hillary was one of those who had a more balanced view: use nature, but respect it and remember you’re part of it.
Why do people leave so much trash on Everest? Seems crazy to go all that way to sleep in a sea of plastic bottles.
Point taken regarding Everest.
Regarding litter worldwide, I just finished The World Without Us, and the author travels to some of the worst sinkholes on the planet, like a big catch-all in the middle of the Pacific where plastic grocery bags, kids’ toys, Saran Wrap, and all sorts of rubbish from all corners of the world end up swirling around like it’s a massive toilet bowl. Except it isn’t flushing away anywhere. Sounds like your Arctic experience was similar.
Just read your post about Macchu Picchu, and I’m afraid, as with so many problems, the true answer is education–about culture, history, and respect for your planet. It’s sad because it takes so much time for education to take effect. But it’s heartening to know that litter campaigns in the US were effective enough to make it shocking when you see someone throw a fast-food bag out of their car on the freeway.
And doesn’t it make a tiny iota of difference when a responsible traveler goes there? Maybe someone will remember your sadness about the litter. When I went to Uluru in Australia, I like to think that my choice not to climb the rock made a couple people change their mind about “conquering” it (again!). You can change minds and mentalities quietly and politely, a little at a time.