Hillary And Norgay Analysis

After many years of death, failure, and frustration, the majestic mountain had finally lost its reign of power. Many years ago, in 1953, two astonishing heroes summited the undefeated lifetaker, Mt. Everest. These two heroes are known as Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay. In the excerpt “On Top of the World” Mary Ann Fraser depicts the two’s great journeys and the obstacles that stood in their way. However, much has changed since the early pioneers had ventured into the unknown snow-kissed land. The changes sculpted new obstacles for today’s climbers, who can confront them similarly and differently than Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay. With newly improved technology and equipment, hikers have an easier time conquering the challenges that once offered a problem. However, with one challenge averted, …show more content…
One immense difference is the equipment or technology. When Hillary and Norgay faced their treacherous journey, they had oxygen tanks that weighed 30 pounds. Conversely, the oxygen tanks today are much more efficient. The more convenient oxygen supplies help make the ascent easier, where back then, according to the excerpt “the weight of oxygen tanks and frames also makes climbing more difficult.” (50) In addition, the boots the mountain pioneers had to wear were unimaginably different. The boots now have crampons, spikes that can dig into the snow to help one climb. However in 1953, Hillary and Norgay had to make due with chopping their own steps. Now with better technology, there is a lower possibility of receiving frostbite and falling due to losing one's balance. If there was better equipment back when Mt. Everest was conquered, less corpses would cover the icy, cold deathtrap. In the video Everest 50 Years on the Mountain, Peter Hillary, Edmund Hillary’s son, even said “if my father had these boots, he wouldn’t have lost his toes.” The new technology saved many hikers lives and improved climbing for the