With Sir Edmund Hillary as her grandfather and Everest mountaineer Peter Hillary as her father, adventure has never been far from Lily Hillary’s life. But as she prepares to take on the international Defender Trophy, she’s determined to prove that exploration isn’t about following in someone else’s footsteps – it’s about finding your own path.
Some people grow up with family holidays at the beach, others grow up hearing stories about Everest, the Himalayas and expeditions that push the limits of human endurance, no prizes for guessing where Lily’s background lies.
As the granddaughter of Sir Edmund Hillary and daughter of renowned mountaineer Peter Hillary, she has adventure woven into her family history. But while the Hillary name is synonymous with extraordinary achievements, Lily isn’t interested in simply trying to recreate them.
Instead, she’s forging her own path, one that now leads to the Defender Trophy, an international adventure challenge combining off-road driving, physical endurance, mental resilience and teamwork. And if our conversation with Lily is anything to go by, she’s bringing considerably more than a famous surname to the starting line.
A Hillary upbringing, with adventure in the backyard
Growing up in the Hillary household inevitably meant spending plenty of time outdoors, but Lily says there was never any expectation that she had to become a mountaineer or follow her family into the extremes of exploration. In fact, her family encouraged her to discover her own passions, although the New Zealand outdoors provided a pretty spectacular classroom.
“My dad definitely took it to another level,” she explained, reflecting on an upbringing that helped shape her appreciation for adventure.
Perhaps the most revealing influence, however, came from her grandfather. While Sir Edmund Hillary will forever be associated with reaching the summit of Mount Everest alongside Tenzing Norgay in 1953, Lily remembers a much more personal side of the legendary explorer.
She was around eight when he died, but their time together left a lasting impression. Rather than needing to travel to some far-flung destination, he would turn the family backyard into a place of discovery, creating little expeditions among the trees. It was a simple lesson with a powerful message, adventure doesn’t have to involve climbing the world’s highest mountain.
As Lily recalls, her grandfather taught her that adventure could be found right under your nose, provided you had the curiosity to look for it. That philosophy remains central to how she approaches life today. Whether exploring on horseback, travelling on foot or climbing into a capable four-wheel drive, it’s the opportunity to discover something new that matters. And in a country blessed with everything from dense native bush to spectacular alpine landscapes, there’s certainly no shortage of places to start.
Following in legendary footsteps – without the pressure
Peter Hillary has climbed Mount Everest twice and established his own formidable reputation as an adventurer. For Lily, learning from her father has meant understanding that physical ability is only one part of the equation.
His approach to climbing has also been decidedly hands-off. On her first Himalayan climbing trip, Lily recalls, her father ‘unceremoniously’ dropped her at the foot of the mountain and left her to figure things out for herself. It was a sink-or-swim approach rather than one involving excessive hand-holding. She appreciates that independence, even if it occasionally meant being thrown in at the deep end.
But what about the pressure of carrying the Hillary name? Lily’s answer is refreshingly straightforward. She doesn’t believe she has to climb Everest herself to justify her family’s legacy. That particular milestone has already been achieved, and trying to manufacture another historic first isn’t the point.
Instead, she believes the more important challenge is living up to the example her grandfather set as a human being. Sir Edmund’s achievements extended far beyond the summit. Through his work with the Himalayan Trust, he helped establish schools and hospitals and improve opportunities for communities in Nepal. For Lily, that contribution is every bit as important as the mountaineering.
She also believes adventure is fundamentally about challenging yourself and helping others understand what might be possible. The psychological barrier can be every bit as formidable as the physical one. As she puts it, her father’s view is that physical fitness can account for only a small part (10%) of an endurance challenge. The mind does much of the heavy lifting.
It’s a lesson that could prove particularly useful when the terrain gets rough, the obstacles become more demanding and the finish line seems a long way off.
One step at a time
Every adventurer needs a strategy for the moments when things become difficult. For Lily, one of the most valuable pieces of advice actually comes from her mother. “One foot in front of the other.”
It sounds almost ridiculously simple, but that’s precisely the point. Staring up at an enormous mountain and focusing on the summit can be overwhelming. Concentrating on the next step makes the challenge manageable. Repeat that process enough times and suddenly the seemingly impossible becomes achievable.
Her father has another lesson: pain is temporary.
Both ideas reflect a practical approach to resilience, not pretending challenges don’t exist, but breaking them down and continuing when things become uncomfortable. It’s an attitude Lily hopes to carry into the Defender Trophy, where the ability to keep thinking clearly under pressure could be just as important as knowing how to navigate a difficult section of terrain.
From the Himalayas to the Defender Trophy
The Defender Trophy has its roots in Land Rover’s adventure heritage, including the legendary Camel Trophy, but the modern competition aims to bring a broader purpose to the experience. For Lily, the challenge is about much more than simply driving an off-road vehicle.
She initially expected the qualifying stages to focus primarily on driving. Instead, she discovered a combination of mental, physical and technical challenges that demanded considerably more versatility. Having already come through the qualification process, she has earned her place among the finalists after competing against a substantial field of other contenders.
She also received the Team Spirit Award, recognition that reflects the importance of working with others rather than simply concentrating on individual performance. The friendships formed during qualification have been a highlight, she says, with the experience bringing together people who share a similar appetite for adventure.
Preparation has involved maintaining her fitness, continuing to develop her expedition experience and learning the Defender itself. That last part matters more than some might expect.
Modern off-road vehicles are sophisticated machines, with different driving modes and systems that can make a significant difference when conditions change. Knowing when and how to use them efficiently is essential. Lily has undertaken additional four-wheel-drive training in Queenstown with Four Wheel Drive Expeditions, while continuing to work on the mental and physical conditioning required for demanding adventures.
It’s a reminder that even someone raised around exploration doesn’t simply jump into an unfamiliar challenge and hope for the best. Experience helps, preparation matters, and understanding your equipment can make all the difference.
A Defender built for the real world
Lily’s appreciation for capable machinery comes naturally. She has grown up hearing about expeditions where the reliability of vehicles and equipment could determine whether a mission succeeded.
Her brother owns a 2010 Land Rover Defender, which she describes as a tough, straightforward machine. The latest Defender, she believes, maintains that rugged character while adding a welcome dose of comfort. Heated seats might not sound particularly adventurous, but after a long day in cold or unpleasant conditions, a little comfort can go a long way.
More importantly, she trusts the vehicle’s ability. Lily says her grandfather placed enormous importance on being able to trust your machinery, your equipment and the people alongside you. It’s an approach that makes perfect sense when you’re far from assistance and relying on every component to do its job.
Sir Edmund was also fascinated by the combination of human ingenuity and mechanical invention. His expeditions included audacious ventures involving jetboats and tractors, using technology to explore environments that seemed almost inaccessible.
The Defender Trophy carries some of that same spirit: testing what vehicles and people can achieve when they’re pushed beyond the ordinary. For Lily, it’s a natural fit.
Adventure with a purpose
There is, however, another important element to the Defender Trophy that makes it particularly meaningful to Lily, giving back.
The event works alongside Tusk, the conservation organisation supporting wildlife and communities in Africa. The idea is to combine the challenge of testing vehicles and human capability with a responsibility towards the landscapes and communities involved.
That philosophy resonates strongly with Lily’s family history. Through the Himalayan Trust, the Hillary family continues to support education, healthcare and environmental initiatives in the Himalayas, including schools, hospitals, dental clinics and replanting projects. The Himalayan Hillary Foundation also provides scholarships to help students pursue further education, including opportunities to study at the University of Otago.
For Lily, the people are what keep drawing her family back to the Himalayas. The mountains may be extraordinary, but so are the communities who live among them. It’s a valuable perspective in a world where adventure can sometimes become more about collecting experiences, ticking off destinations or posting the perfect photograph.
Exploration can be exciting in its own right, but it becomes more meaningful when it leaves something positive behind. That is one of the qualities she appreciates about the Defender Trophy, it combines pushing boundaries with an opportunity to contribute to the places that make those adventures possible.
No nerves, just excitement
With her departure scheduled for 26 October, Lily is approaching the next stage with enthusiasm rather than apprehension. She admits she has a tendency not to get too nervous about these things, joking that perhaps her self-preservation instinct isn’t particularly strong. But her reasoning is more considered than that might suggest.
Whatever the final result, she expects to learn something, meet interesting people, challenge herself and come away with new experiences. By that measure, success isn’t dependent entirely on winning. Of course, bringing the trophy home to New Zealand would be a rather satisfying bonus. ‘I’m out to knock the bastard off,’ as she puts it, with a smile beaming across her face.
And with her combination of outdoor experience, mental resilience, technical preparation and team spirit, she has plenty to bring to the challenge.
Lily Hillary may have inherited a remarkable family history, but she’s not trying to climb somebody else’s mountain. She’s building her own adventures, one step at a time – and this time, she’ll be doing it behind the wheel of a Defender.
As Sir Edmund Hillary’s legacy continues to inspire generations, perhaps the most fitting tribute is not another attempt to reach the world’s highest summit. It’s to remain curious, embrace the unknown, trust your team and remember that adventure can begin just about anywhere. Even in your own backyard.
