Know Mount Everest

“Mount Everest you say? It is not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves.” – Sir Edmund Hillary

Know Mount Everest – The World’s Roof of Thrilling Tales and Adventures

Lying at a staggering 8,848 meters (29,032 feet), Mount Everest is more than just the highest point on Earth. The mountain is a symbol of human determination, courage, and endurance against all odds. To know Mount Everest means diving deep into the history and the significance of the legendary peak across the world. From chilling stories such as the Everest Sleeping Beauty, Green Boots, and the Rainbow Valley to the heroic adventures of some of the most famous climbers, Mount Everest is filled with never-ending stories.

Whether you’re a curious traveler, a passionate trekker, or simply someone fascinated by the wonders of the world, taking the time to know Mount Everest is similar to opening the pathway to a legendary collection of adventures, discoveries, and the wonder of nature. Mount Everest and the Everest Base Camp continue to draw thousands of climbers and trekkers every year to witness its beauty and the thrilling adventures it offers. To know Mount Everest, you have to dive into the very beginning, from the first successful summit of Everest by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay in 1953, to the spiritual significance of the mountain among the local community.

Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary were the first confirmed to have reached the summit of Mount Everest

In this blog, we invite you to know Mount Everest beyond just its height. Some of these facts about Everest and stories you may know already, and some might surprise you. From the height and location of the mountain to its history, climbing challenges, and notable climbing expeditions, this is your one-stop guide to know Mount Everest and what it has to offer the world of climbers and nature enthusiasts.

Know Mount Everest – Height and Location

The world’s tallest peak stands at a height of 8,848 meters (29,032 feet) above sea level. The measurement of the total height was officially updated in December 2020 by China and Nepal, after a joint survey conducted to resolve slight differences in previous readings. The height mentioned above includes snow and ice cover as well, and not just the bare rock. The joint survey in 2020 used GPS technology and ground-penetrating radar, accounting for ranges caused by earthquakes, tectonic shifts, and snow cover.

A key fact regarding the height of Mount Everest is that, technically, the mountain is not the highest peak in the world. When measured from sea level, Everest is the tallest mountain; however, when measured from the base of the mountain to the summit, the title for the tallest mountain actually goes to Mount Mauna Kea in Hawaii.

Location

To precisely know Mount Everest, one has to know about its location. Mount Everest’s location is the prime example of nature’s perfect fit. The mountain lies in the Himalayan mountain range, acting as a natural border between Nepal and the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. Mount Everest is also part of the Mahalangur Himal sub-range of the Himalayas, which is the highest mountain range on Earth.

The approximate coordinates of Mount Everest’s location are 27°59’18”N latitude and 86°55’31”E longitude. The mountain lies in the Solukhumbu District, within Sagarmatha National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Nepalese side. And, on the Tibetan side, it is located in Tingri County, within Qomolangma National Nature Preserve.

Mount Everest is surrounded by other beautiful peaks, including Mount Lhotse, Makalu, and Cho Oyu, making it part of the majestic Himalayan range.

History and Naming of Mount Everest

Did you know that Mount Everest is named uniquely across various regions. In Nepal, the mountain is named Sagarmatha, which means “Forehead of the Sky”. Whereas, in Tibet, it is named Chomolungma, meaning “Goddess Mother of the World”.

The popular Western name Mount Everest was given to the peak after Sir George Everest, a Welsh surveyor and geographer who served as the Surveyor General of India. Andrew Waugh, a British Surveyor General of India, was the one who proposed to name the mountain after his predecessor. Although George Everest initially declined the offer, believing that the geographical features should retain their local names, the Royal Geographical Society officially declared the name “Mount Everest” in 1865.

The popular Western name Mount Everest was given to the peak after Sir George Everest

However, before being officially named, the mountain was referred to as Peak XV during early surveys.

Some Notable Milestones in Everest History

• 1953: Sir Edmund Hillary of New Zealand and Tenzing Norgay of Nepal became the first confirmed climbers on May 29, 1953, to reach the summit through the South Col route from Nepal. This date marks their incredible achievement, which brought worldwide attention and honor, especially to the Sherpa community. The first successful ascent also opened up the pathway for the rest of the climbers to take on the daring challenge and summit Everest.
• 1960: In May 1960, a Chinese mountaineering team made history by becoming the first climbers to successfully summit Mount Everest from the North side, Tibet (China).
• 1975: In the year 1975, history was made when Junko Tabei of Japan became the first woman to summit Everest, inspiring many young females to take on the daring challenge.
• 1978: On May 8, 1978, legendary climbers Reinhold Messner and Peter Habeler achieved what many believed to be impossible at the time. The duo summited Mount Everest without any supplemental oxygen for the first time and wrote history.
• 1996: In May 1996, a violent blizzard struck Mount Everest, resulting in the deaths of 8 climbers. This was regarded as the single deadliest day in Everest’s history at the time.

Climbing Challenges of Mount Everest

To properly know Mount Everest, one has to know about the climbing difficulties of Mount Everest. Climbing Mount Everest is considered one of the most difficult physical and mental challenges on Earth. The extreme altitude of 8,848m is no joke, and even the most experienced of climbers meet their tragic fates quite often on the climb towards Everest.

Mount Everest presents climbers with a unique combination of high altitude, rough terrain, extreme weather, and psychological challenges that push the human body to its absolute limits.

Some of the major challenges of climbing Mount Everest are described in detail below:

1. Extreme Altitude and the “Death Zone”

One of the major challenges climbers face when attempting to climb Mount Everest is the extreme altitude. As climbers ascend to high altitudes, the air becomes thinner, making breathing a challenging task. At the summit of Mount Everest, there is only one-third of the oxygen available at sea level. This can cause serious altitude sickness if not detected and treated promptly. In extreme cases, the high altitude can cause swelling in the brain, fluid in the lungs, making the climber unable to move their body. To avoid these, it is critical that climbers acclimatize slowly and spend enough time at various camps to adjust to the high altitude.

“Death zone” refers to the altitude above which the pressure of oxygen is insufficient to sustain human life for a long period

When climbers start approaching the 8,000-meter altitude, that is when things start to get even tougher and deadly. The region above 8,000 meters is known as the “Death Zone”. It is almost impossible for a body to survive for long at this height because of how low the oxygen is. Climbers must move quickly and efficiently in this zone, using supplemental oxygen for safety. At the Death Zone, any mistake or delay can be fatal.

2. Harsh and Unpredictable Weather

One thing you cannot predict about Mount Everest is its rapidly changing weather patterns. Everest’s weather can change quite quickly, giving climbers little to no chance of adapting to the cold temperature and climbing conditions. Near the summit, fierce winds, sometimes over 100mph, can strike suddenly out of nowhere and disrupt the climbing rhythm, making it almost impossible to continue on with the ascent or descent.

Similarly, snowstorms and whiteouts also fall under the leading cause of climbers going missing on Mount Everest. Due to Everest’s extremely low temperature, it can cause a risk of severe frostbite or hypothermia. Furthermore, the unpredictable and harsh weather of Everest can trap climbers at high altitudes with not enough oxygen, delaying their descent and putting them at serious risk.

3. Physical and Mental Exhaustion

Climbing Mount Everest is a journey only a few dare to take on. Every climber attempting to summit Everest knows about the risks and dangers they are putting themselves on. In short, climbing Everest is a test of endurance. The Everest summit journey takes weeks or even months to complete, requiring discipline and determination. Along with the difficult climbing and trekking, climbers have to carry heavy trekking gear while climbing steep, icy slopes that require great strength.

At such high altitudes, getting enough sleep is also deemed an impossible task due to the extreme cold. The harsh weather plays its part on climbers both physically and mentally. Climbers often suffer from mental fatigue, fear, stress, and even hallucinations. That is why climbers attempting to summit Everest must go through rigorous training for years before attempting such a daring task.

4. Technical and Dangerous Terrain

To know Mount Everest, climbers must have intensive knowledge of the terrain and understand the geography. The Mount Everest climbing route includes some of the world’s most dangerous terrains, such as the Khumbu Icefall. The Khumbu Icefall is a shifting glacier full of deep crevasses and falling ice towers, which requires immense caution and awareness to cross the section safely.

Other technical and dangerous terrain includes Lhotse Face, a steep, icy wall that must be climbed with fixed ropes. Climbers must also watch out for narrow ridges and various exposed sections, where one slip can be fatal. Falling rocks, avalanches, and crevasses are dangers that do not leave climbers throughout their summit journey and return.

Mount Everest Climbing Routes

The mighty adventure to Mount Everest has two main climbing routes used by mountaineers to summit the world’s tallest peak. The South Col route via Nepal is the most popular, whereas the North Col route from Tibet (China) offers a different experience.

South Col Route (Southeast Ridge) via Nepal

The South Col Route, also known as the Southeast Ridge, is the most popular route for climbing Everest. Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay also first summited Mount Everest via the South Col route in 1953. On the South Col Route, climbers begin their summit attempt at the Everest Base Camp on the Nepal side, situated at 5,364 meters. One of the first and most dangerous sections is the Khumbu Icefall, which must be crossed using ropes and ladders. Located above the notorious icefall is Camp I.

After passing through the Western Cwm, climbers then reach Camp II at the foot of the Lhotse face. A steep ice wall awaits climbers before reaching Camp III. The route follows higher up toward Camp IV at 7,900 meters, located on the South Col. It serves as a launching point for the summit push. From there, climbers pass key landmarks such as the Balcony, the South Summit, and the Hillary Step before reaching the summit.

North Col Route (Northeast Ridge) via Tibet (China)

The North Col Route, also known as the Northeast Ridge, begins in Tibet and offers a different set of challenges than the South Col route. The summit adventure starts from Base Camp at around 5,150 meters, passing through Intermediate and Advanced Base Camps before ascending the North Col at approximately 7,000 meters. The route then follows along a high ridge to Camp II and Camp III. The North Col route has less exposure to icefall hazards, but is filled with more technical rock sections near the summit.

The most challenging parts of the Northeast Ridge are the Second Step and Third Step. These sections require skillful climbing, and any mistake can prove to be fatal.

While both the South Col and North Col routes lead to the Everest summit, they present different sets of challenges and terrains for climbing. The South Col is considered safer in terms of logistics and rescue access; however has greater risks from icefalls. Similarly, the North Col avoids the infamous Khumbu Icefall but is more exposed to harsh weather and requires more technical climbing.

Cultural Significance of Mount Everest

The world’s tallest peak, Mount Everest, holds a deep cultural and spiritual significance, especially among the people of Nepal and Tibet. In Nepal, Everest is known as “Sagarmatha”, meaning “Forehead of the Sky”. For the Sherpa community, the mountain is more than just the highest peak, it is a sacred site. The Tibetan people refer to the mountain as “Chomolungma”, which translates to “Goddess Mother of the World”.

Praying on Everest

The Sherpas believe Mount Everest is the home of spiritual deities, and it should be approached with great respect. Before attempting any climbing expeditions on Everest, mountaineers often participate in a puja ceremony, where Buddhist monks bless their climbing gear and pray for safe passage. The ritual speaks about the Sherpa people’s deep spiritual beliefs and connection with the mountain.

Mount Everest also holds a divine status in Tibetan culture. Everest is considered one of the five sacred peaks of the region. Globally, Mount Everest has come to symbolize human ambition, determination, and courage.

Climbing Attempt Before the First Successful Ascend

Before the first successful ascent in 1953 by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, there were several ambitious and historically significant climbing attempts, mostly led by British expeditions. These early attempts were crucial in mapping various routes and understanding the dangers of high altitude.

The First British Reconnaissance Expedition – 1921

The first official expedition to Everest was led by Colonel Charles Howard-Bury. While it was not a summit attempt, the expedition was aimed at exploring possible routes from the North (Tibet side), as Nepal at the time was closed to foreigners. The expedition team, which included George Mallory, mapped much of the North Face and reached the North Col at 7,000 meters. This helped gain valuable insight into the mountain’s terrain.

First Real Climbing Attempt – 1922

The first-ever real climbing attempt was led by Brigadier General Charles Bruce via the North Col. During the expedition, George Mallory, Edward Norton, and others reached a record height of about 8,225 meters (27,000 ft) without supplemental oxygen. This was a significant achievement that contributed to future successful summit attempts on Everest.

The Mallory and Irvine Expedition – 1924

On June 8, 1924, George Mallory and Andrew Irvine made a final summit push and were last seen as “going strong” near the Second Step, just a few hundred meters below the summit. They disappeared into the clouds and never returned. Mallory’s body was later discovered in 1999 at around 8,155 metres. Whereas Irvine’s body remains missing, even today. Whether they reached the summit is a mystery for us all.

Impact and Environmental Concerns on Mount Everest

While being the symbol of adventure and inspiring human achievements, Mount Everest faces serious environmental challenges and impacts due to the growing number of climbers and commercial expeditions.

One of the biggest environmental concerns is the accumulation of waste left by climbers every season. Items including discarded oxygen bottles, climbing gear, tents, food wrappers, human waste, and more have been continuously causing environmental concerns on Everest. It has even gone to the point that people sometimes call Everest the “world’s highest garbage dump”. The buildup of human waste near camps, especially near Camp II and above, has been contaminating the snow and water sources.

It is estimated that more than fifty tonnes of waste and more than 200 bodies cover Everest

Mount Everest is experiencing the effects of climate change at a rapid and concerning rate, with glaciers thinning and ice melting at an alarming rate. One of the leading issues is also the dead bodies piling up on Everest. Many climbers who do not make it out alive from Everest usually remain there, as recovering the dead bodies is quite an expensive and difficult task. The huge rise in climbers has led to overcrowding on summit day, especially at bottlenecks like the Hillary Step. This has resulted in not only delaying movement but also an increase in exposure to the dangerously thin air at the “Death Zone”, leading to more injuries and fatalities.

Conclusion

In conclusion, to truly know Mount Everest is not just to understand its towering height and the breathtaking beauty that surrounds the mountain, but also to understand its significance and global impacts. From its status of being the highest point on Earth, to legendary expeditions and ongoing conservation efforts, it stands as a tower of hope and courage among climbers around the world.

To know Mount Everest, you have to learn about its famous history. Everest has been the stage for legendary expeditions, from the mysterious 1924 climb of George Mallory and Andrew Irvine to the first successful ascent by Hillary and Norgay in 1953. Every climb adds a new story to its rich legacy. However, with growing popularity, Mount Everest now faces serious issues such as overcrowding, waste, and rapid changes in Everest’s climate.

To know Mount Everest today is also to recognize the responsibility that comes with admiration. Protecting this majestic peak requires greater awareness, respect for local cultures, and sustainable climbing practices. As Mount Everest continues to inspire people across the world, it is our duty as human beings to approach this sacred site with humility and care, ensuring its legacy is retained for generations to come.