'Hillary Ridge' faces uphill battle

A proposal to rename Aoraki-Mt Cook's South Ridge as Hillary Ridge is attracting more opposition than support. Photo / Doug Sherring

A proposal to rename Aoraki-Mt Cook's South Ridge as Hillary Ridge in honour of Sir Edmund Hillary is so far attracting more opposition than support.

The New Zealand Geographic Board is calling for feedback on the idea to rename the highly-visibly feature. Public submissions close at the end of the month and so far 36 submissions oppose the idea while just 11 support it.

Board spokeswoman Victoria Dew said submissions were just being recorded and it was too early to say why people objected to the renaming of the ridge.

The submissions will be fully analysed after the closing date.

Sir Ed was a member of the first party to climb the ridge back in 1948. The Hillary family has previously indicated its support for the name.

- NZPA