Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay smile after descending from Mount Everest in 1953. The pair were the first climbers to summit the world's tallest mountain.
Locals celebrate first Everest ascent —
Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay smile after descending from Mount Everest in 1953. The pair were the first climbers to summit the world's tallest mountain.
James Burke/Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
John Hunt, later Sir John Hunt, led the 1953 Everest expedition.
Locals celebrate first Everest ascent —
John Hunt, later Sir John Hunt, led the 1953 Everest expedition.
James Burke/Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Tenzing, Hunt and Hillary are welcomed in Bhandgaon, Nepal.
Locals celebrate first Everest ascent —
Tenzing, Hunt and Hillary are welcomed in Bhandgaon, Nepal.
James Burke/Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Tenzing arrives in India after his ascent.
Locals celebrate first Everest ascent —
Tenzing arrives in India after his ascent.
James Burke/Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Locals celebrate Hillary and Tenzing in Nepal in 1953.
Indian celebrations for first Everest ascent —
Locals celebrate Hillary and Tenzing in Nepal in 1953.
James Burke/Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Hillary and Tenzing are welcomed in India. <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Flife.time.com%2Fhistory%2Fmount-everest-photos-of-edmund-hillary-and-tenzing-norgay-1953%2F%231" target="_blank" target="_blank">See the full gallery on LIFE.com.</a>
Locals celebrate first Everest ascent —
Hillary and Tenzing are welcomed in India. See the full gallery on LIFE.com.
James Burke/Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images