Mount Everest

Mount Everest is the highest mountain on Earth above sea level.

It sits within the Mahalangur Himal sub-range of the Himalayas. The summit marks a portion of the border between China and Nepal.

Because of its immense height, the mountain is a major focus for mountaineers. It is a massive physical feature that dominates the surrounding landscape. The peak is located very far from the nearest sea, which is the Bay of Bengal.

Climbing the mountain involves complex logistics and significant physical challenges. There are two primary routes used by climbers to reach the summit. The first is the southeast route through Nepal, often called the standard route.

The second route approaches from the north through Tibet.

On the Tibetan side, climbers can drive directly to the North Base Camp. On the Nepalese side, the journey is more involved. Climbers usually fly into Kathmandu and then to Lukla. From Lukla, they must trek to the South Base Camp. This trek and climb involves a massive elevation gain.

Despite its fame, the mountain presents extreme environmental hazards. Climbers must manage the effects of altitude sickness caused by thin air. The weather is unpredictable, often bringing intense wind and freezing temperatures.

Physical hazards like avalanches and the Khumbu Icefall are constant dangers. These conditions make the mountain extremely perilous for even experienced people. As of May 2024, 340 people have died on the mountain. Over 200 bodies remain on the slopes because the conditions are too dangerous for recovery efforts.

Humans have attempted to conquer the summit for over a century. The first recorded efforts were made by British mountaineers. Because Nepal did not allow foreigners in at that time, they used the North Ridge route in Tibet. In 1921, a British reconnaissance expedition reached the North Col. The 1922 expedition pushed further up the North Ridge. In 1924, George Mallory and Andrew Irvine attempted a summit climb but never returned.

This event caused a long debate about whether they reached the top first. Finally, Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary made the first documented ascent in 1953.

Later, in 1960, a Chinese team of Wang Fuzhou, Gonpo, and Qu Yinhua reached the summit from the north.

The mountain has many different names that reflect its cultural importance. In Nepal, it is called Sagarmāthā, meaning "the head in the great blue sky." In Tibet, it is known as Qomolangma, which means "holy mother."

The name "Mount Everest" came from a British decision. In 1849, the Great Trigonometrical Survey of India was measuring the world's highest peaks. Andrew Waugh, the British Surveyor General, could not find a common local name due to travel restrictions. He decided to name Peak XV after his predecessor, Sir George Everest. Although Sir George Everest opposed the idea, the name was officially adopted in 1865.

Measuring the exact height of the mountain has been a long scientific task. In 1852, an Indian mathematician named Radhanath Sikdar first identified Peak XV as the highest peak. He used trigonometric calculations based on data from James Nicolson.

Later, in 1856, Andrew Waugh announced the mountain was 29,000 feet high. Scientists have continued to refine this number using new technology. In 1952 to 1954, the Survey of India measured it at 29,002 feet. In 1975, a Chinese measurement recorded it as 29,393 feet. In 2005, the Chinese Academy of Sciences announced a height of 8,848 meters.

Most recently, in 2020, Chinese and Nepali authorities measured it at 8,848.86 meters.

Everest is more than just a mountain; it is a complex system of geology and climate. The height measurements often depend on whether scientists measure the rock or the snow. For example, a 1999 GPS measurement found a rock head elevation of 8,848 meters. The snow and ice covering the peak can make the mountain appear even taller. The mountain's height is also subject to change from geological events. For instance, Nepal planned a survey to see if the 2015 earthquake changed the height. Studying Everest helps us understand the Earth's crust and how high mountains can grow.