The world's tallest mountain, Mount Everest is 29,029 feet (8,848 meters) high. It is located in the Himalayas on the border of Nepal and Tibet, and is part of the Seven Summits, the highest peaks on each of the seven continents.
Here are some interesting facts about Mount Everest:
1 - When Named?
The mountain was named after Sir George Everest, a British surveyor-general of India, in the mid-19th century. The local name for the mountain is Sagarmatha, which means "Mother of the Universe" in Nepali.
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| Headstone for Sir George Everest |
2 - Successful Climbs
As of 2021, there have been over 10,000 successful climbs to the summit of Mount Everest with many climbers reaching the summit multiple times. Some notable climbers who have reached the summit multiple times include:
Lakpa Sherpa, who reached the summit 18 times
Apa Sherpa, who reached the summit 21 times
Sherpa Phurba Tashi, who reached the summit 24 times
Kami Rita Sherpa, who reached the summit 29 times
It's worth noting that climbing Mount Everest is still considered a challenging and dangerous endeavor, with many climbers (more than 300) losing their lives while attempting to summit. Climbing the mountain requires a high level of physical fitness, experience, and equipment, and climbers should always take safety precautions to minimize the risk of injury or death.
3 - First Successful Climbers
The first successful ascent of Mount Everest was made by Sir Edmund Hillary of New Zealand and Tenzing Norgay of Nepal in 1953. They climbed the mountain via the South Col route, which is still one of the most popular routes to the summit.
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| Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay |
4 - Very expensive !!
Climbing Mount Everest is not only dangerous, it is also expensive. A permit to climb the mountain from the Nepalese side can cost as much as $11,000, and the cost of a guided climb can reach $65,000 or more.
5 - Death Zone
The Death Zone is a term used to describe the area above 26,000 feet (8,000 meters) on the mountain. This area is so-called because of the extremely high altitude and the dangerous conditions that make it extremely difficult for climbers to survive. The Death Zone is characterized by extremely low oxygen levels, freezing temperatures, high winds, and the risk of avalanches and rockfalls.
The human body is not able to survive in the Death Zone for more than a few days, as the lack of oxygen causes the body to deteriorate rapidly. This means that climbers have to move quickly through this area in order to reach the summit and return safely. Climbers in the Death Zone are also at risk of altitude sickness, which can cause symptoms such as headaches, nausea, and fatigue, and can be fatal if not treated promptly.
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| Death Zone on Mount Everest |
Due to the high risk of death and injury in the Death Zone, climbing Mount Everest is considered one of the most dangerous and challenging mountaineering endeavors in the world. The number of people who have died trying to reach the summit of Mount Everest is high, and many of those deaths have occurred in the Death Zone.
It is crucial that climbers are well-prepared and experienced before attempting to climb in the Death Zone, and that they take the necessary safety precautions and equipment to minimize the risk of injury or death.
6 - Highest death toll in one Day
The highest ever recorded death toll on Mount Everest in a single day was on May 10, 1996. 8 climbers died due to a severe storm.
7 - Highest death toll in one year
The highest ever recorded death toll on Mount Everest in a single year was in 2019 with 11 deaths.
8 - Climate Change
Climate change is affecting Mount Everest in various ways. The most visible change is the melting of the ice and snow on the mountain. This is happening due to the increase in global temperatures, which is causing the glaciers and icefields on the mountain to shrink. This not only affects the appearance of the mountain but also makes it more dangerous for climbers, as there is less ice and snow to anchor climbing equipment and more exposed rock and loose scree.
Climate change is also affecting the wildlife that lives on Mount Everest. As the ice and snow melts, the habitats of animals like the Himalayan tahr, the snow leopard, and the Himalayan black bear are disappearing, making it harder for them to survive.
Overall, climate change is affecting Mount Everest in many ways and making it more challenging to climb and to protect the mountain's natural environment. It is crucial that we take action to address climate change and reduce our greenhouse gas emissions in order to protect this iconic mountain and its wildlife.
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| Ice lost on Mount Everest |
9 - Limtations
Due to the increased traffic, the number of climbers on the mountain is limited to a certain number each year. This is done in order to prevent overcrowding on the mountain, and to reduce the risk of accidents.
The Nepalese government and various climbing organizations have implemented regulations and policies to limit the number of climbers on the mountain and to promote safety and environmental conservation.
10 - Youngest person that summit Mount Everest
The youngest person to ever summit Mount Everest is Jordan Romero, who was 13 years old when he reached the summit on May 22, 2010.
| Jordan Romero |
11 - Main Routes
The mountain has two main climbing routes, the Southeast Ridge and the Northeast Ridge, both of which are technically challenging and require advanced mountaineering skills.
12 - Best Season for Climbing
The climbing season for Mount Everest typically runs from April to June. This time frame is chosen as the weather is most favorable during this period, with less snow and ice on the mountain, and less chance of storms and high winds.
The monsoon season, which brings heavy rain and snow, typically starts in June and lasts until August, making it difficult and dangerous to climb the mountain during this time. Additionally, the winter months of December through February are extremely cold and the mountain is covered in deep snow, making it nearly impossible to climb.
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| Mount Everest in June 2015 |
13 - Home to many species...
Mount Everest is home to a variety of species that are adapted to survive in the harsh, high-altitude environment. These include:
Snow leopard: This elusive big cat is found in the high altitude regions of the Himalayas and is considered an endangered species.
Himalayan tahr: A type of wild goat that lives in the rocky terrain of the mountain's higher elevations.
Himalayan black bear: Found in the subalpine and alpine regions of the Himalayas, these bears are known for their shaggy black fur and are considered a vulnerable species.
Snowcock: A type of mountain bird found in the high altitude regions of the Himalayas.
Himalayan marmot: A rodent that lives in rocky areas at high elevations.
Yak: A large domesticated animal that is used by the local people for transportation and as a source of food and wool.
14 -Part of literature
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