The Philippine Mt. Everest Expedition 2006 and 2007 team has sent its condolences to the family of New Zealand 's Sir Edmund Hillary, who along with Nepal 's Tenzing Norgay Sherpa became the first to conquer Mount Everest .

Hillary, a New Zealand beekeeper who shot to global fame in 1953 as the first person to climb to the top of the world's tallest mountain, died Friday at age 88.

Negrense Art Alvarez, Philippine Mt. Everest Expedition leader, said in their letter of condolence “Our country's successful quests to climb Mt. Everest were inspired by the pioneering exploits of Sir Edmund.”

“Today, we learned, he is gone. Indeed, people everywhere are saddened with the passing of Sir Edmund Hillary who left us for a place higher than Mt. Everest .

“We will always remember him not only as a great adventurer and explorer but also his immense contribution to improve the lives of the Sherpas, the mountain people he loved most,” Valdez said.*CPG

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