MEDIA RELEASE: MAY 29, 2018
Kiwis reach great heights to celebrate the historic summit of Everest 65 years ago today
More than 100 New Zealanders are currently attempting to climb 8848m, the height of Everest, during the month of May to
celebrate today’s 65th anniversary of Hillary and Tenzing’s successful ascent.
The challenge is raising funds for life-changing education and healthcare projects in the Everest region of Nepal.
While most participants who are taking part in the Himalayan Trust Summit Challenge are running, walking, biking or
climbing to ascend the height of Everest during May (an average of 295m every day), some are interpreting the challenge
more creatively.
“One woman is pushing a sled loaded with her bodyweight for the 8848m, a 91-year old gentleman is walking 8848m along
his local beach, and school children are reading 8848 pages of books,” says Himalayan Trust General Manager Prue Smith.
“We have Summit Challenge teams, schools and individuals taking part right across New Zealand, and even as far afield as
Christmas Island and Canada.”
The challenge has raised over $40,000 so far. All the funds raised through the challenge will support the work of the
Himalayan Trust, founded by Sir Edmund Hillary in the 1960s to help improve life for the people who made his adventures
in the Himalayas possible.
“To Sir Ed, his greatest achievement was not climbing to the summit of Everest, but helping the people of Nepal. The
money raised will support quality education, safe water and vital healthcare for remote mountain communities in the
Everest region of Nepal – helping to keep Sir Ed’s legacy alive.”
To find out more about the Himalayan Trust Summit Challenge visit summitchallenge.org
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