What is the Hillary Step?

What is the Hillary Step?

• A. A notch in the Southeast Ridge of Everest named after Edmund Hillary
• B. A peak on the Khumbu Glacier
• C. A weather station on Everest
• D. A glacier carving on the North Face

Answer: (A)

This feature is a notable notch near the summit on Everest’s Southeast Ridge, a small but famous rock step that climbers must navigate to reach the top. It was named after Sir Edmund Hillary, who, along with Tenzing Norgay, first climbed Everest in 1953 and passed this obstacle on the way to the summit. It’s not presented as a separate peak on the Khumbu Glacier, nor a weather station, nor a glacier carving on the North Face. Recognizing it as a distinctive climbing obstacle on the Southeast Ridge explains why this option is the correct identification.

This feature is a notable notch near the summit on Everest’s Southeast Ridge, a small but famous rock step that climbers must navigate to reach the top. It was named after Sir Edmund Hillary, who, along with Tenzing Norgay, first climbed Everest in 1953 and passed this obstacle on the way to the summit. It’s not presented as a separate peak on the Khumbu Glacier, nor a weather station, nor a glacier carving on the North Face. Recognizing it as a distinctive climbing obstacle on the Southeast Ridge explains why this option is the correct identification.