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Clemson University Emeritus College hosts retired National Geographic photo editor Bert Fox, whose slideshow presentation details the first ascent of Mount Everest by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay on May 29, 1953

By Karen Brewer, Publisher & Editor, The Pickens County Chronicle

Bert and Nanine Fox are pictured following his May 28, 2026 slideshow presentation to the Clemson Emeritus College about the first ascent to Mount Everest by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay on May 29, 1953. (Photo by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)

 

 

On Thursday, May 28, 2026, just one day shy of the 73rd anniversary of the first successful ascent to Mount Everest, retired National Geographic photo editor Bert Fox’s talk and slideshow presentation to the Clemson University Emeritus College detailed that historic event by Sir Edmund Hillary and his Nepalese Sherpa guide, Tenzing Norgway. Fox, photo editor for National Geographic from 1996 to 2007, was responsible for the visual content of National Geographic’s May 2003 commemorative issue celebrating the 50th anniversary of the May 29, 1953 ascent to Mount Everest. As part of research for that issue, Fox traveled to New Zealand to meet Hillary and traveled to Nepal to retrace the historic expedition.

 

The Pickens County Chronicle wants to make available for readers Fox’s entire May 28 presentation. Please click on the play button on the audio player below to hear his entire talk.

 

Audio run time 1 hour 21 minutes 15 seconds (Audio by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)

Bert Fox, retired photo editor for National Geographic magazine, holds a copy of the May, 2003 commemorative issue for the 50th anniversary of the first successful ascent to Mount Everest, made by Sir Edmund Hillary and his Nepalese Sherpa guide, Tenzing Norgay, 73 years ago, on May 29, 1953. Fox gave a slideshow presentation and spoke to the Clemson University Emeritus College on Thursday, May 28, 2026. (Photo by Karen Brewer, The Pickens County Chronicle)