Tenzing Norgay

Tenzing Norgay was a Nepali-Indian Sherpa mountaineer. He was born in Nepal around 1914. Along with Edmund Hillary, he was the first person confirmed to reach the summit of Mount Everest. He is a hero in Nepal, India, and around the world.

Early Life

Tenzing grew up in the mountains of Nepal near Everest. He ran away from home twice to pursue mountaineering. He worked as a porter carrying supplies for climbing expeditions. He attempted Everest several times before his successful climb.

A statue honoring the Everest climber Tenzing Norgay.
A statue honoring the Everest climber Tenzing Norgay. (Colin Ashe / Wikimedia Commons)

Big Achievements

On May 29, 1953, Tenzing and Hillary reached the top of Everest at 29,032 feet. Tenzing left an offering of chocolate and biscuits at the summit as a gift. He later started a mountaineering institute in India. He inspired generations of Sherpa climbers.

Fun Facts

  • Tenzing tried to climb Everest six times before he finally made it.
  • He left candy and biscuits at the top of Everest as an offering.
  • He and Hillary never revealed who actually stepped on the summit first.

Did You Know?

Both Nepal and India claimed Tenzing as their own hero. He said the answer was simple: he belonged to the mountains. His son Jamling later also climbed Everest in 1996.