North west stairs

Collection of Auckland Museum Tamaki Paenga Hira, 2008.30.1

Circa 1951

This is the ice axe used by Sir Edmund Hillary during his ascent of Everest, in 1953. "A few more whacks of the ice axe, a few weary steps, and we were on the summit of Everest (Ed Hillary, High Adventure, p208)

This French Simond Chamonix ice axe acquired by Sir Edmund in 1951, and was used by him on the final ascent with Tensing Norgay, on 29 May 1953. An image on the Simond website shows Claudius Simond and Sir Edmund Hillary together at Chamonix.

First ascent of Mount Everest; 29 May 1953; Himalaya/Asia

Mt Everest/Nepal

1951

1953

Elizabeth II (1952 - 2022)/House of Windsor/English reign

wood/plant material

steel/iron alloy/metal/inorganic material

l x w x d: 900mm x 320mm x 66mm

900mm (length of whole axe)

320mm (length of blade)

mountain climbing/recreation

Axe, Ice Climbing

Gear, Climbing

Sports Equipment

09 Recreational Artifacts

10 Oct 2024