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What's Your Mt. Everest? Goodbye to International Hero Sir Edmund Hillary

By Marlene Bridges

Real Estate Agent with Village Real Estate Services, Inc.

January 10, 2008 02:57 PM

Photo of Mt. Everest & Kathmandu Valley-courtesy of terraxplorer2-Webshots

I can remember reading a story in the first grade about the Hillary Expedition that had conquered Mt. Everest. As a first grader, reading My Weekly Reader (a children's weekly newspaper of the fifties), I had no idea what a tremendous accomplishment this was at the time. After many other expeditions that tried and failed, Hillary's team was credited as the first team to reach Everest's summit. New Zealander Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay are credited as the first people to reach the top of the world's highest mountain on May 29, 1953.

The next time I recall seeing this dynamic man was while watching the TV show "What's My Line" with my family. We were gathered around our old Zenith black & White TV set. The panelists on the television show had put on their blindfolds, and the first mystery guest signed in as: "E. P. Hillary - Explorer, Conqueror of Mt. Everest". That was in May 1962.

There are people who are a just a part of our history. Sir Edmund Hillary is one of those people that you just grow up knowing. It seems they've always been there and it seems they will just always be there. But today, the world lost a man who dared to dream. We lost a man who tried where others had failed. And, he was man enough to try again that which he himself had also failed. Ultimately, through perseverance, he reached the height no other human being had previously attained. Sir Edmund Hillary died in New Zealand today at age 88.

Today's real estate market is in a downward trend. There are people who are walking away from the business. Some succeeded in the past, but just cannot hold on any longer. The year of 2008 for those of us who remain in this profession may just be our Mt. Everest. In persevering, we may reach a pinnacle never before attained. One of my favorite Sir Edmund quotes is, "It is not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves". What powerful words. They are words to encourage us to search our hearts for that which we must conquer. What is your Mt. Everest?

To hear some interesting interviews with Sir Edmund Hillary click here.

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Marlene Bridges, REALTOR® 800 777-1775

South Orange County Real Estate Website

Orange County Seniors Lifestyles Blog

SRES - Seniors Real Estate Specialist®

CRS-Certified Residential Specialist®

President - Laguna Hills/Laguna Woods Chamber of Commerce

Marlene is a highly experienced South Orange County CA REALTOR® specializing in residential Real Estate and the sale of Homes and Condos in South Orange County, California and Saddleback Valley cities of: Laguna Woods, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Beach, Rancho Santa Margarita, Lake Forest, Dana Point, San Juan Capistrano, San Clemente, Aliso Viejo, Mission Viejo.

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Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman

Liberty Homes - Mililani, HI

(RA) AHWD CRS ePRO OAHU HAWAII REAL ESTATE

Ah...but the simple life I lead Marlene...my Everest is the same as Hillary....

"It is not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves".

And it's with hope and faith in ourselves that we have persevered in personal and professional life. :)

Jan 10, 2008 03:18 PM

Marlene Bridges

Village Real Estate Services, Inc. - Laguna Hills, CA

Laguna Homes|Laguna Condos|Laguna Real Estate

Sally - I'm glad this quote resonated with you, too. I think his insight is truly profound. Only 14 days till Waikiki :-)

Jan 10, 2008 03:42 PM

Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman

Liberty Homes - Mililani, HI

(RA) AHWD CRS ePRO OAHU HAWAII REAL ESTATE

WooHoo! And counting! Call me when you get in so we can do a before thingy.

Jan 10, 2008 04:20 PM

Marlene Bridges

Village Real Estate Services, Inc. - Laguna Hills, CA

Laguna Homes|Laguna Condos|Laguna Real Estate

Sally - Of course!

Jan 10, 2008 04:23 PM

Todd Clark - Retired

eXp Realty LLC - Tigard, OR

Principle Broker Oregon

I love watching "What's my line" now on the game show network and I remember that one. It is amazing to me when they figured out someone like that. But, I do love the show. I think I've now seen every episode that has been aired and we also like to watch it with the kids so they can get a sense of history with the guests. I recognize most of the guests, but we want them to also.

Jan 10, 2008 04:30 PM

Tracey Thomas

BrokerInTrust Real Estate - Calabasas, CA

CA Real Estate Broker

Wow, how in the heck did you remember the good old Weekly Reader? I had forgotten all about those, and I loved them so much back in the day.

Jan 10, 2008 04:30 PM

Marlene Bridges

Village Real Estate Services, Inc. - Laguna Hills, CA

Laguna Homes|Laguna Condos|Laguna Real Estate

Todd - Thanks for the tip on the Game Show Network. I didn't know they even had the tapes back that far. They didn't always film those shows in the fifties and the ones that were filmed actually often got taped over. What a great way to introdusce your kids to a little part of history.

Tracey - My Weekly Reader was one of the treats of the week for me. I remember reading about Ike and Mamie Eisenhouer and the coronation of Queen Elizabeth. It made a huge impression on me. Sounds like you loved reading them as much as I did.

Jan 10, 2008 05:09 PM

Linda Scanlan

A Fan of AR - Burleson, TX

Marlene, what amazed me about E. Hillary was his humility. What a gracious man and a hero to many. I remember being totally amazed that he could accomplish such a thing. What lost a giant of a man.

Jan 10, 2008 09:00 PM

Brian Block

RE/MAX Allegiance, Managing Broker/Branch Vice President - McLean, VA

Northern Virginia & D.C. Real Estate

Marlene, I saw this news in the paper this morning. While thousands have climbed after him, being the first to conquer Everest took massive amounts of courage. Have you read Jon Krakauer's great book "Into Thin Air?"

Jan 11, 2008 12:54 AM

Candy Henthorne

Results Realty - Spring, TX

Spring Texas Real Estate

Marlene - I love this insightful story and the memories it brought back. The weekly reader-- I haven't thought about that in years!

Jan 11, 2008 03:04 AM

Marlene Bridges

Village Real Estate Services, Inc. - Laguna Hills, CA

Laguna Homes|Laguna Condos|Laguna Real Estate

Linda - Yes, he certainly was a man of humility. It's interesting that now over 50 years after that climb, there are still many failed attempts and many who die every year trying to accomplish it. There are so many variables. Everything must be right and the climbers must be completely prepared. A great example for all of us.

Brian - No, I've not read that book. Sounds like an interesting read. Thanks for the tip.

Candy - So glad this post rekindled some good memories for you!

Jan 11, 2008 04:35 AM

James Downing - Metro DC Houses Team REALTORS®, CRS, GRI, ABR,MRP, MilRes

Real Living | At Home - Washington, DC

When Looking to Buy or Sell - Make the Right Move

What an amazing man. I herd this on the news....

Do I hear an Active Rain sponsored climb to the top? I would of course need a Marriott at the top if I made it!

Jan 11, 2008 09:14 PM

Marlene Bridges

Village Real Estate Services, Inc. - Laguna Hills, CA

Laguna Homes|Laguna Condos|Laguna Real Estate

James - I'll be content to be a cheerleader at base camp!

Deborah - I was fortunate to hear a speaker recently who had climbed Everest. His account was a real eye opener. He talked about how each step was the most enormous physical exertion anyone could ever imagine. Yes, Deborah, I agree, we all have our own personal Everests.

Jan 12, 2008 08:16 AM

Todd Clark - Retired

eXp Realty LLC - Tigard, OR

Principle Broker Oregon

I would like to thank you for this, I looked and had to hunt down the story of his death and that is just wrong. But, since we home teach our kids. We decided to make this a learning opportunity and taught a class on Everest and the history of people attempting to climb it in the past 100 years.

So thanks,

Jan 12, 2008 04:23 PM

Marlene Bridges

Village Real Estate Services, Inc. - Laguna Hills, CA

Laguna Homes|Laguna Condos|Laguna Real Estate

Todd - Wow! What a great idea. I'll bet everyone in the family was amazed with what you learned. For most of us climbing Everest seems like a given since we've heard of many people doing it now. But, when you truly understand the physical demands and all the variables involved, it is truly a remarkable accomplishment. Thanks for sharing what your family did with this information.

Jan 13, 2008 02:16 AM

Eric Kodner

Wayzata Lakes Realty: Eric Kodner Sells Twin Cities Homes - Minnetonka, MN

Wayzata Lakes Realty: Twin Cities, Madeline Island

Sir Edmund deserves a lot of credit for sharing the spotlight with his co-climber, Tenzing Norgay. He always gave credit to his Sherpa guides and ground teams.

Jan 13, 2008 03:03 PM

Marlene Bridges

Village Real Estate Services, Inc. - Laguna Hills, CA

Laguna Homes|Laguna Condos|Laguna Real Estate

Eric - Very good point. It's intereting that on any given expedition, only two climbers actually make it to the summit. Quite an example of teamwork!

Jan 13, 2008 04:03 PM

Judy Tuscano

Prudential Verani Realty - Nottingham, NH

NH Real Estate Professional

Marlene - I too remember the Weekly Reader from grade school and I do remember "What's My Line" but not that particular episode. I think climbing mountains is a sport of great endurance and as mentioned here teamwork. We all need to remember the team that helps us as we rise to the top in whatever endeavor we choose. I think that is lost today especially in marriages and business partnerships thus they end sadly with all kinds of hurt and resentment.

Jan 14, 2008 12:22 AM

Marlene Bridges

Village Real Estate Services, Inc. - Laguna Hills, CA

Laguna Homes|Laguna Condos|Laguna Real Estate

Judy - What a wonderful insight - "We all need to remember the team that helps us as we rise to the top in whatever endeavor we choose." Thanks so much for your insightful comment.

Jan 14, 2008 03:00 AM