Everest festivities aim high

The world's highest internet cafe is being set up on Mt Everest for the 50th anniversary of Sir Edmund Hillary's mountaineering feat.

Sir Edmund is heading to Nepal to celebrate his historic climb with Tenzing Norgay on May 29, 1953.

He will be among nearly 500 summiteers at a special gathering in Kathmandu. June Tabei, the first woman to stand on top of the world, is also expected to attend.

Sir Edmund and Nepal's King Gyanendra will present Everest medals to summiteers at a gala dinner.

Celebrations have been going on since last June, but activities pick up over the next few weeks. They include a rock climbing festival, trans-Himalayan mountain-biking rally, bowling and golf tournaments and the Everest Marathon, the highest to be run in the world.

Organisers are considering a proposal to hold the world's highest musical concert, at Everest Base Camp.

The internet cafe will be set up at the camp.

Sir Edmund's son, Peter, will host a dinner party at Thangboche Monastery, near the camp, for fellow climbers.

The celebrations will be broadcast live on May 29 in New Zealand, Britain, France, Germany, the United States and most of South Asia.