Cover Sir Edmund Hillary (pictured left) and Tenzing Norgay approaching the highest camp on Everest at 8,500 metres in May 1953 (Photo: Rolex)
Sir Edmund Hillary (pictured left) and Tenzing Norgay approaching the highest camp on Everest at 8,500 metres in May 1953 (Photo: Rolex)
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The enduring legacies associated with the first ascent of Mount Everest continues to benefit the region’s communities today with the support of the Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative
It was on May 29 in 1953 when Tenzing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary made history by summiting Mount Everest for the first time. For the mountaineering community—and humanity at large—the milestone was a testament to the human spirit and what it can achieve. It was also a triumph for Rolex, which has been supporting explorers since the 1930s by equipping them with timepieces that can withstand the harsh conditions of their various expeditions around the world—even one that sought to reach the earth’s highest peak.
Earlier this year, the families of Norgay and Hillary gathered near the foot of Mount Everest to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the pair’s achievement. To commemorate the event, their respective family foundations, the Tenzing Norgay Sherpa Foundation and The Himalayan Trust, had refurbished two cultural centres in the Everest region with support from the Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative. These centres are dedicated to the history and identity of the Sherpa people, and they will serve as platforms to spotlight environmental issues in the area while also highlighting the Sherpa community’s invaluable contribution to mountaineering, just as Norgay and Hillary had done throughout their lives.
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Above Namche Bazaar is popular with trekkers who use the village for altitude acclimatisation and is often seen as the gateway to the high Himalayas. The village is home to Norgay’s visitor centre, showcasing the legacy and heritage of the first summit of Everest (Photo: Rolex)
Namche Bazaar is popular with trekkers who use the village for altitude acclimatisation and is often seen as the gateway to the high Himalayas. The village is home to Norgay’s visitor centre, showcasing the legacy and heritage of the first summit of Everest (Photo: Rolex)
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The ties between the two mountaineers and Rolex remained strong following their successful ascent of Mount Everest—the expedition’s conclusion did not just mark the end of an immense challenge, but also the beginning of a new journey to give back to the region that had changed their lives.
Norgay was deeply troubled by the losses faced by Sherpa families and spent much of his life working to empower his own Sherpa community. To that end, he worked with the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute in his hometown of Darjeeling in India to train young Sherpas to become safer climbers while also instilling a sense of adventure and exploration in them. Norgay helped widows to become financially independent as well, and sought to improve the community’s access to healthcare, employment and, most importantly, education. This work continues today through the Tenzing Norgay Sherpa Foundation, which is supported by Rolex.
In the same vein, Hillary devoted much of his life to the welfare of the Everest region and its people. Through The Himalayan Trust, Hillary and his family built hospitals, schools, bridges and the Tenzing‑Hillary airport in Lukla to improve the communities’ infrastructure and access to amenities. The foundation’s work extended to the establishment of Sagarmatha National Park, along with reforestation efforts in the areas around the foothills of Mount Everest. Rolex remains deeply involved with the foundation’s work as well.
Above Dr Mingma Kanchhi Sherpa works at Kunde hospital, which was founded by Hillary. She grew up in the area and went to the local primary school, also founded by Hillary. Once she qualified as a doctor, she returned to her village to work (Photo: Rolex)
Dr Mingma Kanchhi Sherpa works at Kunde hospital, which was founded by Hillary. She grew up in the area and went to the local primary school, also founded by Hillary. Once she qualified as a doctor, she returned to her village to work (Photo: Rolex)
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For nearly a century, Rolex has supported pioneering explorers pushing the boundaries of human endeavour. The Swiss manufacture has moved from championing exploration for the sake of discovery to protecting the planet and committing to the long-term support of individuals and organisations using science to understand and devise solutions for today’s environmental challenges.
This engagement has been reinforced with the launch of the Perpetual Planet Initiative in 2019, which initially focused on supporting individuals contributing towards a better world through the Rolex Awards for Enterprise, safeguarding the oceans as part of an established association with non‑profit organisation Mission Blue and understanding climate change through the brand’s long-standing partnership with the National Geographic Society.
Rolex also supports organisations and initiatives fostering the next generations of explorers, scientists and conservationists through scholarships and grants, such as Our World-Underwater Scholarship Society and The Rolex Explorers Club Grants.
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