Only recently did I learn that Edmund Hillary declined to have his
photograph taken by Tenzing at the summit of Everest, although
Hillary had photographed Tenzing. Tenzing bore his fame with the
same sense of humility and reserve. "Only appear in the press at
birth and at death," was my grandmother's mantra: they were of
the same vintage.
He was one of the calmest and steadiest personalities I have
encountered, his Everest kingdom, the clearest space I have
occupied.
Years after reaching the summit of Everest, while heading a
journey to the source of the Ganges River, now knighted, Sir
Edmund Hillary, reacting to the loss of one of his boats, remarked,
"True, why make a fuss over something that's done anyway? I
was never one to obsess about the past. Too much to do in the
future."
Over chai in his house not far from Namche Bazaar, Tenzing
expressed the same thoughts. He had confidence in being able
to guide me because he had confidence in me. He and his
mountain were assuring.
We did not say goodbye. I am still there.
Christopher
HYLAND
Hyland
