Sir Edmund Hillary Memorial Lecture - Kangchenjunga: from Sacred Summit to Sustainable Future

Join us for the 2025 Hillary Memorial Lecture, where we celebrate the 70th anniversary of the first ascent of Kangchenjunga and explore what it means to create a truly sustainable future for this remarkable region.

Kangchenjunga—the Five Treasures of the Great Snow symbolises wealth: salt, gold, precious stones, sacred scriptures and invincible armour. Today, this ancient symbolism finds new meaning through the Five Pillars Plan of the Kangchenjunga Conservation Area plan: conservation, sustainable infrastructure for tourism, empowering communities, smart technologies and destination marketing.

With original film footage and our speakers Mingma David and Levison Wood, we will trace the journey from that first ascent in 1955 through to the present day, when we hope to unlock a new era of prosperity and preservation for Kangchenjunga’s communities and its fragile ecosystems.

We are delighted to once again host our annual Sir Edmund Hillary Memorial event at the Royal Geographical Society.

70 years ago, climbers Joe Brown and George Band stood at the threshold of Kangchenjunga’s summit—but out of respect for the mountain’s sanctity, they kept their promise to the Chogyal of Sikkim and stepped no further. In this special anniversary lecture, we’ll reflect on their story, with rare archive footage capturing their historic climb—and the deep reverence they showed for the Five Treasures.

But what treasures do we risk losing today? As new roads push ever closer to Kangchenjunga’s slopes, the future depends on how we balance preservation with progress.

Discover how the Five Pillars Plan for the Kangchenjunga Conservation Area offers a new kind of treasure map, guiding the region towards prosperity without sacrificing its soul. Hear about the ambitious goal to make Kangchenjunga the first UNESCO World Biosphere in Nepal.

This not-to-be-missed evening will also unveil a stunning new short film, made this winter in Kangchenjunga, and celebrates the Himalayan Trust UK’s work in the region since 2007. 

Hearing Mingma and Levison speak isn’t just about adventure – it’s about understanding what’s at stake for the future of Kangchenjunga and all Himalayan communities.

Whether you’re a mountaineer, adventurer, conservationist, or simply passionate about sustainable travel, this event will inspire you to explore responsibly and support mountain communities protecting their heritage.

Speaker profiles can be found on our website - www.himalayantrust.co.uk