KATMANDU, Nepal — On the eve of the 50th anniversary of his historic ascent of Mount Everest, Sir Edmund Hillary complained about legions of climbers partying at base camp before scrambling up the world's tallest mountain on fixed ropes and ladders.
There were about 1,000 people at base camp with "a booze place for drinks and all the other comforts," Hillary said at a news conference Wednesday.
"Just sitting around in a big base camp, knocking back cans of beer, I don't particularly regard as mountaineering," he said.
As he spoke in Katmandu, a helicopter with eight people aboard crashed near the main Everest base camp at 17,380 feet. Two Nepalese — a flight attendant and a Sherpa guide — were killed, officials said. The six others on board and a German trekker on the ground were injured.
The helicopter crashed as it tried to land near where hundreds of climbers had gathered to mark Thursday's golden jubilee of the first known ascent of the 29,035-foot summit by Hillary and his Sherpa guide, Tenzing Norgay.
Also marring anniversary celebrations was a clash between police and anti-government protesters in Katmandu, the capital.
Officers used tear gas and batons to disperse 5,000 opposition supporters angered that the nation's king last year dissolved the elected Parliament and set up a royally appointed Cabinet.
In the past few days Hillary, 83, has been lauded as a hero in Katmandu. At his news conference, he said he appreciated his warm welcome in Nepal as well as the interest in his feat.
However, the famed mountaineer from New Zealand expressed concerns about the future of Everest, which he wants closed to new expeditions.
Many of those at the celebration arrived at an airfield that Hillary built to bring materials for hospitals and schools for the Sherpa community after his ascent on May 29, 1953.
"For a while," Hillary said, "I wondered whether I had done a bad thing, made it too easy for foreigners to come up."
But he felt the Sherpas' culture was strong enough to withstand the outside influences, "although they are tempted by our Western money, as we are."
He acknowledged that Nepal had changed during the past half century, with bustling streets and cars in the capital. Some Sherpas earn enough money to send their children abroad for education.
The lives of the Sherpas in the Khumbu region around Everest have improved with schools and health centers built by his Himalayan Trust, Hillary said.
Hillary refused to comment on the Nepal political situation, saying he preferred to avoid discussion of politics and religion.
The anniversary festivities culminate Thursday with a ceremonial gathering of Everest climbers hosted by Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand, who is the king's appointee.; a tea attended by King Gyanendra and Queen Komal; and a banquet with the crown prince and princess.