Because it is there!

I can't really say I was sad this afternoon to find out about the passing of Sir Edmund Hillary; I didn't realize he hadn't died years or even decades ago.

I remember as a wee lad I loved to pull out a volume of our dark blue Encyclopedia Americana books at random, flip open and learn about whomever or whatever became the topic of the day. Nerdy, huh? You probably never would've guessed that I used to be a nerd. I was probably in second grade (or grade two for you Canadians) when I first read about Edmund Hillary's first and only expedition to Mt. Everest, when he became the first human on record to summit the massive, seemingly unconquerable Himalayan giant.

You can read more details of the expedition here.

An earlier explorer to Everest (Hillary reached the summit in 1953), George Mallory was asked, "Why would you want to attempt to climb the world's highest peak?" His response was merely, "Because it is there." Mallory and his team went missing in 1924. His ice axe was found in 1933 just more than 1,000 below the summit. His remains were found in 1999. It is unknown whether he and his team ever made it to the top, or died in the attempt.

I've always been taught to dream. I applaud dreamers. I love the movie "Rudy". I love seeing great achievements being made--the impossible finally within reach. I love to "dream the impossible dream".

Cheers, Sir Edmund Hillary. My hat's off to you.


(Pictured are Edmund Hillary and sherpa guide Tenzing Norgay, who ascended together. They were the only two of their expedition to reach the top).