give the biography of Tenzing Norway
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Tenzing Norgay, (Nepalese: “Wealthy-Fortunate Follower of Religion”) Norgay also spelled Norkey or Norkay, original name Namgyal Wangdi, (born May 15, 1914, Tshechu, Tibet [now Tibet Autonomous Region, China]—died May 9, 1986, Darjeeling [now Darjiling], West Bengal, India), Tibetan mountaineer who in 1953 became, with Edmund (later Sir Edmund) Hillary of New Zealand, the first person to set foot on the summit of Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak (29,035 feet [8,850 metres]; see Researcher’s Note: Height of Mount Everest).
Tenzing Norgay
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Tenzing Norgay.
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BORN
May 15, 1914
Tshechu, China
DIED
May 9, 1986 (aged 71)
Darjiling, India
It is not known exactly when, how, or under what conditions the young Namgyal Wangdi came to live in the Khumbu region of Nepal (near Everest), nor is it known when he took the name Tenzing Norgay. Among the ethnic Sherpas, immigrant Tibetans such as Tenzing are known as Khambas and have low status and little or no wealth. Tenzing worked for several years for an affluent family in Khumjung, and, as a teen, he ran away from difficult conditions and settled in Darjeeling, West Bengal, India. At age 19, having married a Sherpa, he was chosen as a porter for his first expedition; in 1935 he accompanied Eric Shipton’s reconnaissance expedition of Everest. In the next few years he took part in more Everest expeditions than any other climber.
Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary
Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary
Tenzing Norgay (right) and Edmund Hillary showing the kit they wore to the top of Mount Everest, June 26, 1953.
AP Images
Mount Everest, Himalayas, Nepal. (Himalayan Mountains; mountain range; mountain landscape; Mt. Everest)
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After World War II he became a sirdar, or organizer of porters, and in this capacity accompanied a number of expeditions. In 1952 the Swiss made two attempts on the southern route up Everest, on both of which Tenzing was sirdar. He went as sirdar of the British Everest expedition of 1953 and formed the second summit pair with Hillary. From a tent at 27,900 feet (8,500 metres) on the Southeast Ridge, they reached the summit at 11:30 AM on May 29. He spent 15 minutes there “taking photographs and eating mint cake,” and, as a devout Buddhist, he left an offering of food.
After his feat he was regarded as a legendary hero by many Nepalese and Indians. His many honours included Britain’s George Medal and the Star of Nepal (Nepal Tara). Man of Everest (1955; also published as Tiger of the Snows), written in collaboration with James Ramsey Ullman, is an autobiography. After Everest (1978), as told to Malcolm Barnes, tells of his travels after the Everest ascent and his directorship of the Field Training Himalayan Mountaineering Institute in Darjeeling, which the Indian government established in 1954. Tenzing: Hero of Everest (2003), a biography of Tenzing Norgay by mountaineer and journalist Ed Douglas, is a sensitive appreciation of his life, achievements, and disappointments.
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This article was most recently revised and updated by Adam Augustyn, Managing Editor, Reference Content.
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Answer:
Tenzing Norgay GM OSN, born Namgyal Wangdi, and also referred to as Sherpa Tenzing, was a Nepali-Indian Sherpa mountaineer. He was one of the first two individuals known to reach the summit of Mount Everest, which he accomplished with Edmund Hillary on 29 May 1953.
Born: 29 May 1914, Khumbu
Died: 9 May 1986, Darjeeling
Spouse: Dawa Phuti (m. 1935–1944)
Children: Jamling Tenzing Norgay, Deki Tenzing Norgay, Pem Pem Norgay.
Awards: Hubbard Medal
Books: After Everest: An Autobiography