Frail Sir Edmund faces media chaos at airport

By TIM WATKIN in KATHMANDU

An unwell Sir Edmund Hillary arrived in Kathmandu amid scenes of bedlam to join celebrations of the 50th anniversary of his ascent of Mt Everest.

Sir Edmund was helped off the plane and into a wheelchair last night (NZ time) before being greeted by old friends and dignitaries. A press conference was cut to a brief camera call as several dozen photographers and camera crew swarmed around him.

Sir Edmund smiled and said nothing, but he was perspiring and looked tired. A busy few days in India appeared to have taken their toll.

Lady June Hillary said "we've come from 44 degrees in India, and Ed's not well".

As they were led out of the airport, the media scrum pushed past and around Sir Edmund and Lady June, who was bumped several times.

Sir Edmund looked concerned as security staff tried to make a path to a waiting minivan. Some representatives of Sherpa and mountaineering groups were able to push through and offer Sir Edmund silk scarves, flowers and handshakes. They received warm smiles of recognition. Others were swept aside, Sir Edmund unable to see the banners offering a hearty welcome to the 83-year-old Aucklander.

Even as they reached the minivan, one cameraman forced his way into the front seat and the van drove off with him still inside.

Sir Edmund will rest today and tomorrow.

He will be the focus of celebrations in Kathmandu over the coming week, including presenting Golden Jubilee medals to 208 successful Everest climbers, leading a procession through the city on Tuesday and attending a dinner for an estimated 500 people hosted by his Himalayan Trust on Thursday, the anniversary of his ascent.

Nepalese tourist officials hope publicity around the anniversary will encourage the return of tourists put off by Sars, the Iraq war and Maoist insurgency.

Sir Edmund arrived to the news that Yuichiro Miura, a 70-year-old Japanese businessman, yesterday became the oldest person to climb Mt Everest. He was one of 35 climbers from three expeditions to summit yesterday.

A record 22 expeditions have been trying to reach the summit this month, but poor weather left many struggling.