Gandalf (Ian McKellen) and Frodo (Elijah Wood) lead the Fellowship through the mountains.

In his latest Grey Book entry, Ian McKellen (Gandalf) writes about his meeting with Sir Edmund Hillary, the New Zealander famous for conquering Mt. Everest, and includes a photograph of Gandalf leading his own expedition across the mountains!

Here is a brief excerpt:

It is not surprising that [Sir Edmund] Hillary should be from New Zealand, where the land is a challenge and an inspiration. These last months I have driven across it, flown over it, boated and tramped. For the first time, I wish my father had taught me to climb. It is in many places a wilderness, not rivalling the Himalayas but perfect for the Fellowship’s journeyings. After all, not even Frodo and Sam could make it up Everest unaided.

Click on the link below to read the entire article.