First to summit Mt. Everest: Tenzing (film)

TENZING (2026 film)

Now at NoHo7, LA, and soon on Apple TV

Based on true events, Tenzing chronicles the little-known story of Tenzing Norgay (played by Genden Phuntsok), a gifted Himalayan Sherpa climber who, alongside New Zealand mountaineer Sir Edmund Hillary (Tom Hiddleston), was the first to summit Mt. Everest.

Encouraged by his wife Dawa (Thinley Lhamo), Tenzing finds an ally in expedition secretary Jill Henderson (Caitríona Balfe). Together, they persuade Colonel John Hunt (Willem Dafoe) that Tenzing belongs on the British climbing team, rather than merely serving it.

Whereas Western climbers see Mt. “Everest” as something to be conquered, Tenzing and the other indigenous Sherpas revere Chomolungma (lit. “Head in the Sky” or more loosely “Goddess of the Sky”) as the sacred Mother Goddess. The Tibetan name for Mt. Everest is Qomolangma (ཇོ་མོ་གླང་མ, lit. “Holy Mother”).

Tenzing (2026 film) Hollywood, USA

What follows is an ascent defined as much by the tensions between backgrounds, classes, and competing ambitions as by the perils of the mountain itself.

But high above the world, empire, rank, and aspiration fall away, leaving two outsiders bound by mutual respect and trust — and for Tenzing, the fulfillment of both a life-long dream and a spiritual calling.

Directed by award-winning filmmaker Jennifer Peedom, Tenzing is a story of greatness that refuses to be diminished — and the human love that makes it possible. Source. NOW SHOWING:

• Laemmle's NoHo 7, North Hollywood
• Tasveer Film Center, Seattle (Laemmle)

INSIDE THE ARTHOUSE (Laemmle) 

Sir Edmund Hillary and his guide Sherpa Tenzing Norgay climb Mount Everest, 1953 (archive video)

The world may argue who was first, but as friends we would never squabble over it.

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Tenzing Himalayan Mountaineering Inst

(The Guardian) May 29, 2013: VAJRAYANA BUDDHIST NEPAL, Himalayas - There exists an archive newsreel with footage that shows how New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Nepali Sherpa climber Tenzing Norgay became the first humans in recorded history to climb to the summit of Mount Everest, allegedly the highest (not tallest) peak on the planet.

Edmund Hillary and his best Sherpa friend and guide Tenzing Norgay, circa 1953

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  Tibetan lamas mapping Mt. Sumeru in sand

  There are allegations that K2 in Pakistan is in fact higher. That this can be questioned in modern times is not in spite of technology but because of it. Past attempts to determine their heights has been hampered by snow layers and politics. The Hawaiian giant Mauna Kea is no doubt taller but seated on the ocean floor so as to not be higher; and the mythical Mt. Sumeru of Buddhist cosmology and lore, supported by Vedic, Hindu, and Jain cosmologies, if such a peak is confirmed to exist as a tangible rock and soil mountain would be both far taller and far higher up. See also List of tall mountain peaks by prominence.
• 1953 British Mount Everest expedition

Who are these mysterious animistic-Buddhist Sherpa people of the Himalayas?

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I owe it all to my Sherpa porter

Their achievement came two days after a British expedition, led by John Hunt, came within 100 meters (330 feet) of the summit. On Wednesday, May 29, it will be the 60th anniversary of Hillary and Tenzing's conquest of the world's tallest mountain.

The Guardian (UK) publishes independent journalism, made possible by supporters. Contribute to The Guardian today ► bit.ly/3biVfwh. Website ► theguardian.com. Facebook ► theguardian. Twitter ► guardian. Instagram ► guardian. #Everest #Nepal #TenzingNorgay #Climbing #EdmundHillary #MountEverest

Yeah, but could they conquer K2?

The Last First: Winter K2 — Ambition, Tragedy and the Fight for K2

Statue of mountaineer Edmund Hillary looking up toward peak of Mount Cook

• Jennifer Peedom, Tenzing; Laemmle; CC Liu, Dhr. Seven (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly