The Mountain at Her Feet

Expectant and exulting, all Britain waited for the crowning to begin. This was pleasure anticipated and known. But 4,000 miles away, in the silence of the Himalayas, a little band of Britons fought time and the uncertain elements to conquer for their Queen earth's highest spire.

It was 20 below zero and the air was thin enough to set the blood aboil as a New Zealand beekeeper -mountaineer named E. P. Hillary and an experienced Sherpa guide, Tenzing Norkey, struggled out of Camp 8 towards Everest's naked summit (29,002 ft.). Twice their climbing companions had been driven back by blizzards of ice, as had all men who tried before them. This time the mountain yielded.

On Friday, May 29, 1953, Hillary planted the Union Jack on the highest spot on earth. Alongside, he raised the U.N. flag, and the banner of Nepal, in whose territory Everest stands.

Runners bore the joyful tidings to the monastery at Namche Bazar. The message flashed to London. On coronation eve, they waked the Queen to tell her.

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