Hillary spearheaded the airport project and initially hoped to build it on flat land, but local farmers refused to sell. Instead, he purchased a steeper slope nearby. Sherpas cleared the vegetation, and Hillary famously encouraged locals to compact the surface by performing a traditional foot-stomping dance. Today, the airport is a key gateway for climbers heading to Everest Base Camp.

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Now marvel at fascinating images of America’s earliest airports

Spectacular tiny terminals hidden in the world's most remote landscapes