CNN
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It’s been 60 years since Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay became the first climbers to summit the world’s tallest mountain, and even all these long decades later, their feat resonates as one of the 20th century’s enduring, signature moments.
As LIFE noted in its July 13, 1953, issue, the historic ascent was hardly greeted with unalloyed goodwill and enthusiasm from all corners of the globe. In fact, international politics and racial pride were quickly thrust into the conversation about Hillary’s and Tenzing’s astonishing feat.
