Sir Edmund Hillary Mountain Legacy Medal

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20 July 2018 press release from Mountain Legacy

Dan Mazur tapped for tenth Sir Edmund Hillary Mountain Legacy Medal

Dan Mazur in Mustagata Base Camp

Dan Mazur in Mustagata Base Camp
Photo courtesy of Summit Climbs

Mountain climber and humanitarian Dr. Daniel Mazur will receive the Sir Edmund Hillary Mountain Legacy Medal for remarkable service in the conservation of culture and nature in mountainous regions.

The award will be presented at the International Mountain Museum in Pokhara, Nepal, on December 11 (International Mountain Day) during the Nepal Mountaineering Association’s fifth annual Mountain Festival.

Mazur, who holds a doctorate in Social Policy Analysis from Brandeis University, is an accomplished climber with multiple ascents of Mount Everest and 8000-meter peaks. His company, Summit Climbs, has led scores of expeditions in the Himalayas. At the same time, his Mount Everest Foundation for Sustainable Development has implemented numerous projects, including the renovation of Deboche convent just north of Tengboche, earthquake rescue and reconstruction, school and clinic development, and Sherpa climbing training programs. Currently, his top priority is the Mount Everest Biogas Project, which he cofounded with Garry Porter to mitigate the problem of human waste accumulating at elevation.

In announcing the selection of Daniel Mazur on July 20, ninety-ninth birthday of Sir Edmund Hillary, Mountain Legacy president Dr. Kumar P. Mainali emphasized the viral nature of Mazur’s impact. The Medal is intended both to recognize Sir Edmund Hillary's own service on behalf of mountain people and their environment and also to encourage the continuing emulation of Hillary’s example. Like Hillary, who founded the Himalayan Trust as well as parallel organizations in Australia, Canada, England, Germany and the United States, Daniel Mazur has assisted other mountain developers and inspired many of his own clients to collaborate and initiate their own efforts.

Scott MacLennan, founder and director of The Mountain Fund, observes that Mazur’s spirit of adventure is consistent with Sir Edmund’s own. If you ask anybody active in Himalayan mountaineering, "Who best exemplifies the Hillary model of sportsmanship, conservation, and care for the host communities that mountaineers depend on?" one of the first names that comes up will be Daniel Mazur. Mazur is widely known for his role in the 2006 rescue and evacuation of Lincoln Hall from 8700m on Mount Everest, which entailed abandoning his own team’s summit attempt.

Eminent montologist Dr. Jack D. Ives has commended the selection of Daniel Mazur. As we enter the centennial of Sir Edmund Hillary’s birth, it is fitting that we reflect on the importance of adventure in our lives. Mountaineering should not be the province of the privileged few. Mountains evoke and educe our greatest values and aspirations: physical and psychological challenge, love of our environment, comradeship, and altruism. Daniel Mazur’s career perfectly synthesizes the challenges and opportunities of mountaineering and mountain service.

Post your comments!

If you would like to add your congratulations, reminiscences, or photos to this page, please send them to Seth Sicroff (sicroff@hillarymedal.com).

More Information

Get involved! Remote Nepal Service Trek: voluntourism expeditions run by Daniel Mazur's Summit Climbs and Summit Treks.

Above: Mount Everest Biogas Project,
co-founded by Garry Porter and Dan Mazur

Above: Deboche [nunnery] project.

Below: Lincoln Hall story

Lincoln Hall Rescue in Everest News



Media Coverage

हिलारी पदक डेनियल मजुरलाई [Hillary Padak Daniel Mazurlai (Hillary Medal to Daniel Mazur]

Article in Revolvy

ENN press release

Encomia

Bianca Gray on Facebook:

Daniel Mazur, climber extraordinaire, and the leading light behind the Deboche Project in the Himalayas, among many humanitarian projects, will be receiving The Sir Edmund Hillary Mountain Legacy Medal for his contribution to the people of the Himalayas. Not a "registered" Budddhist, forgive me for saying so Dan, but his life and work speak of actions louder than any formal affiliation ever could. His is gentle, kind, powerful and compassionate and this award confirms his native loving kindness and affection for his adopted land of Nepal and its beautiful people. Dan is a Bodhissatva. I know our buddy Mingma Tenzin Sherpa agrees with me. I am so happy to call you my friend, and to share the Deboche Project work with you.

Takcheche! And love to you and your family, especially the young Raji!

And to add, Summit Climb team just summited another great K2 Mountain, and while there helped save a life of a climber who fell. So rolls Summit Climb, the best of the glorious lot!

Laurel Barrett on Facebook A true inspiration and hero to many. I’m so glad to know you are being recognized for your actions and service in making a difference.

Jenny Vandiver on Facebook Congratulations, Dan! What an accomplishment! Great to hear you're being recognized for such a remarkable career!

Seane Pieper on Facebook To receive an honour with Sir Edmund's name on it is a wonderful thing, Dan. Take a moment to reflect on that. Well done.

Neil Wells on Facebook Congratulations Dan. Recognition for your unceasing efforts for the mountains and those who live in them.

Brad Carroll on Facebook Congrats Dan. Amazing recognition for your years of dedicated service. Couldn’t happen to a nicer guy!

Jane Timmons-Mitchell on Facebook Such a wonderful honor, exceeding well deserved!

Andrew Davis on Facebook Such Kudos Dan! It is great to see you recognized for all your efforts on and off the mountain.

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