Edmund Hillary, considered by some one of the 20th century’s greatest adventurers, passed away Friday, January 11 in his native country of New Zealand. On May 29, 1953, Hillary and his Sherpa guide Tenzing Norgay became the first people to reach top of Mount Everest (the world’s highest peak at 29,035 feet) AND safely return (Hillary was often critical of subsequent climbers that assumed tremendous risk). After his successful ascent, this humble beekeeper became a strong supporter of environmental causes and living conditions of people in Nepal. Read a full report here.