PHOTOS: Peter Hillary, son of first man to summit Mount Everest, talks at Wheeler Opera House

News | Feb 9, 2025

Austin Colbert

**In front of a portrait of his father, Sir Edmund Hillary, mountaineer Peter Hillary talks as part of the Wheeler Opera House's Changemaker Speaker Series on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, in downtown Aspen.**
*Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times*

New Zealand mountaineer Peter Hillary talked as part of the Wheeler Opera House’s Changemaker Speaker Series on Friday in Aspen.

While he is one of the most celebrated adventurers on the planet in his own right, it was his father who set the bar, and he set it high. In 1953, Sir Edmund Hillary and his climbing partner, Tenzing Norgay, became the first people to reach the summit of Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak.

Peter’s talk on Friday was titled “70 Years of Everest” and included many stories of his father. Sir Edmund Hillary died in 2008 after a lifetime full of adventure, traits that passed on to his son.

The final talk in this year’s Changemaker Speaker Series will be on March 28 and feature climber and photographer Cory Richards.

Mountaineer Peter Hillary talks as part of the Wheeler Opera House’s Changemaker Speaker Series on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, in downtown Aspen.

With Mount Everest as a backdrop, mountaineer Peter Hillary talks as part of the Wheeler Opera House’s Changemaker Speaker Series on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, in downtown Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Mountaineer Peter Hillary talks as part of the Wheeler Opera House’s Changemaker Speaker Series on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, in downtown Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Mountaineer Peter Hillary talks as part of the Wheeler Opera House’s Changemaker Speaker Series on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, in downtown Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Mountaineer Peter Hillary talks as part of the Wheeler Opera House’s Changemaker Speaker Series on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, in downtown Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Mountaineer Peter Hillary talks as part of the Wheeler Opera House’s Changemaker Speaker Series on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, in downtown Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Mountaineer Peter Hillary talks as part of the Wheeler Opera House’s Changemaker Speaker Series on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, in downtown Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
In front of a portrait of his father, Sir Edmund Hillary, mountaineer Peter Hillary talks as part of the Wheeler Opera House’s Changemaker Speaker Series on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, in downtown Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Wheeler Opera House Executive Director Mike Harrington, left, leads a Q&A with mountaineer Peter Hillary after his talk as part of the Changemaker Speaker Series on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, in downtown Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Mountaineer Peter Hillary talks as part of the Wheeler Opera House’s Changemaker Speaker Series on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, in downtown Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Wheeler Opera House Executive Director Mike Harrington makes introductions for mountaineer Peter Hillary (not pictured) before his talk as part of the Changemaker Speaker Series on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, in downtown Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Mountaineer Peter Hillary talks as part of the Wheeler Opera House’s Changemaker Speaker Series on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, in downtown Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times