Who is Tenzing Norgay?

I'm pretty sure at least 75% of the world's population knows who is Barack Obama. Yes, he is the 44th U.S. president elect who will start his term on January 20, 2009. Yes, he beat Senator John McCain in the presidential race via landslide. Yes, he also beat former first lady and NY senator Hillary Clinton. And did I mention that he is the first black U.S. president?

So much for the introduction for this entry. The question actually is- who is Tenzing Norgay? My estimate is that 25% or less of the world's population know who the heck is this man. At least in Nepal, this man is reveared and a statue built in his honor. Ask a mountaineer or an outdoor guy and there's a high probability they know or even idolize this fellow. Tenzing Norgay is arguably the first man to step in the peak of Mount Everest. He was a sherpa by profession and the trusty sidekick of Sir Edmund Hillary. Sir Edmund is known as the first man to plant his foot in Mount Everest's peak. Wikipedia said they stepped on the peak at the same time. Both of them have now passed away so we actually won't know the real story. Tenzing Norgay's undisputed claim to fame is the first human being photographed on the peak of the highest mountain in the world. Not bad for an accolade. I'd trade that anytime for a model region.