We all know Mount Everest is the tallest mountain in the world, but do you want to know more mind-blowing facts about Mount Everest? We are exploring several fascinating facts about the mountain, so make sure you read until the end.
Mount Everest is the highest mountain and point on earth, at 8,849 meters, and lies in the Mahalangur Himal, a sub-range of the Himalayas. It lies in the Khumbu region of Solukhumbu district in Nepal. The local name for the mountain is “Sagarmatha.” It translates to “the head in the great blue sky” in Sanskrit. Similarly, the Tibetan name for Everest is “Qomalangama” or “Chomolungma.” It translates into “holy mother.” Initially, the surveyor general of India, Andrew Waugh, named the mountain Peak XV, stating there were many names. Sir George Everest, Waugh’s predecessor, named the peak “Everest” in 1857.
The earliest expedition to Mount Everest was in 1921 by the British Reconnaissance Expedition. George Mallory and Guy Bullock were part of the team, and they discovered the northern approach. In 1953, Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa were the first to summit Mount Everest successfully. Since then, thousands of mountaineers have attempted to conquer the peak. While many have successfully conquered Everest, some failed and perished on the mountain. Studies and research have also discovered many facts about the mountain. Here, we will be exploring some fascinating facts about Everest. Let us dive straight into feverthem!
Table of Contents
10 Interesting facts about Mount Everest
Death Zone Of Mount Everest
The death zone is infamous for being the most dangerous region of Mount Everest. It refers to an elevation above 8,000 meters where the oxygen level is insufficient to sustain human life for an extended time. The atmospheric pressure is less than 356 millibars at this high altitude. As a result, human bodies cannot acclimate. It causes various effects on the body. Many climbers collapse from exhaustion at this point. The death rate at Everest is 1% as of 2006 – 2019. An estimated 340 people have died during the Everest climb.
Spending too much time in the death zone is fatal to climbers. The lack of oxygen causes irreversible damage to the human body. Many have even succumbed to their conditions and lost their lives. The weather on Mount Everest is also extreme at this point. It can change at any time, and there are dangers of sudden snow storms, blizzards, high winds, and a plunge in temperature. Due to these challenging factors, rescue operations are also almost impossible. It certainly earns its name as a death zone.
Two O’Clock Rule on Mount Everest
The two o’clock rule on Mount Everest is a crucial safety guideline for climbers. According to this rule, climbers must reach the summit of the mountain by 2 pm. If they are late, they must abandon their climb and return to the base. The harsh weather at higher elevations changes rapidly and is unpredictable. Storms are common, and weather also deteriorates in the afternoon. Therefore, returning by 2 pm reduces the risk of getting caught up in the sudden weather change.
There is also daylight at 2 p.m., so climbers can easily navigate the trails. However, visibility becomes poorer as daylight passes, and the risk of accidents increases. Many climbers who attempted their expeditions at late hours have often met with life-threatening situations. Therefore, climbers must follow the 2 o’clock rule. Ignoring the rule can lead to tragedies during the expedition.
Geology of Everest
Did you know the rocks that form Mount Everest used to be an ancient seabed? Well, now you do!
Around 50 or 60 million years ago, the collision between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates formed Mount Everest. The collision lifted the ancient seabed of the Tethys Ocean, forming the Himalayas. According to the research, the rocks of Mount Everest are of three types: the Rongbuk Formation (base of the mountain), the North Col Formation (middle part of the mountain), and the Qomolangma Formation (summit of the mountain).
The Rongbuk Formation is primarily composed of metamorphic rocks with some granitic rocks. The North Col Formation is composed mainly of marine limestone and marble. Meanwhile, the Qomolangma Formation is primarily composed of limestones and dolomites. Researchers found fossils of marine organisms in the limestones and dolomites.
Time taken to summit Everest
The entire Mount Everest expedition takes 60 to 65 days. This includes rest days, acclimatization, and summit ascension. Ascending to the summit can take anywhere from 9 to 18 hours, depending on the climber’s physical stamina and strength. It also depends on their mental fitness.
Aside from the climber’s physical and mental fitness, several other factors influence the time to reach the Everest summit. The weather conditions and the specific route also affect it. Many climbers spend several days preparing for their ascension to the summit at the higher camps. They rest and wait for the best conditions to make their ascension.
Hillary may not have been the First Person to Summit the Everest
Sir Edmund Hillary from New Zealand and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa of Nepal were the first to summit Mount Everest on May 29, 1953. They were part of the ninth British Expedition team led by John Hunt. They hold the record for the first person on Everest and is widely believed to be the first-ever successful mountain summiting. However, there have been speculations about this fact. Few believe that Mount Everest was summited much earlier than this.
British climbers George Mallory and Andrew Irvin attempted to conquer Mount Everest in 1924. They were part of the British expedition team. They were last seen near the mountain’s summit, approximately 240 meters or 800 vertical feet. However, both men never made it back. They disappeared on the northeast ridge of Everest. Hence, there has been debate over the fact that Hillary and Tenzing were not the first to reach the top of the world’s highest mountain, but Mallory and Irvin were.
Traffic jam on Mount Everest
Over the years, there has been a spike in the number of Everest climbers. Most climbers choose the spring and autumn seasons due to suitable weather conditions. There is only a limited window for the climb. At these times, the mountain has been facing a huge overcrowding problem. It has led to the world’s highest traffic jam on the way to the mountain’s summit.
With the commercialization of the Everest expedition, even inexperienced climbers attempt the climb. It is also another reason for the jam on the summit. Moreover, it puts the lives of climbers in danger. The huge traffic jams on Mount Everest can be dangerous for climbers. They will have to spend a longer time at the high elevation. Hence, they are exposed to the risk of altitude sickness, hypothermia, and frostbite.
Mount Everest is in China and Nepal
Mount Everest lies in the Khumbu region of Nepal. It is also important to note that the mountain passes through the border between Nepal and Tibet. Tibet is the Autonomous Region of China. It is part of the Mahalangur Himalayan range that stretches to six countries: Nepal, China, Bhutan, Pakistan, India, and Afghanistan.
The summit of Mount Everest is on Nepal’s side, but its body lies on the border of both countries. It is in the Xigaze area of Tingri country on the Tibetan side. Meanwhile, it lies within the Sagarmatha National Park in the Solukhumbu district. The geographical coordinates of Everest are 27° 59′ 9.8340′ North and 86° 55′ 21.4428′ East. The mountain also symbolizes the friendship and bond between Nepal and China.
Mount Everest Height Controversy
Mount Everest was first measured in 1847 by a survey team of India. At that time, the team declared the mountain’s height 8,778 meters above sea level. Later, Nepal and China performed a joint survey, and both countries released new heights. The Nepalese survey team stated the height of the mountain to be 8,848.86 meters. Meanwhile, China’s survey team declared the height to be 8,844 meters. As a result, there was a dispute over Mount Everest’s height.
In 2010, both countries jointly agreed that Mount Everest’s height should be 8848 meters. Similarly, Nepal recognized China’s claim that Mount Everest’s rock is 8844 meters. There is still controversy about Mount Everest’s height, as there are different ways to measure it. The height can be measured from the ocean’s depth, mean sea level, and distance from the earth’s center.
Mount Everest is Growing
It might be surprising to know that Mount Everest and the Himalayan range are geographically alive. Research discovered that the Indo-Australian plate moved about 20 mm annually. Due to the tectonic plate movement, Everest grows about a quarter inch annually. The growth is not visible to the naked eye, but it can be measured with the help of advanced technology.
Climbing Mount Everest is Expensive
Climbing the world’s tallest mountain does not come cheap. The cost of the Mount Everest expedition is above USD 150,000. It depends on various factors, such as the type of expedition, logistic support, and services.
Climbers will also require high-quality equipment and gear. The cost of a peak permit is USD 11,000 per person. Meanwhile, hiring an experienced Sherpa will cost around USD 6,000. In addition, climbers must pay expedition fees, supplement oxygen, logistics, and insurance. Many mountaineers attempt Everest without oxygen supplement but most carry them. Hence, climbing Mount Everest is an expensive venture.
Best time to climb Mount Everest
Spring (March to May)
Spring is one of the best times to climb Mount Everest. The harsh winter weather gradually subsides as the season progresses. The season has one of the best weather with warm and moderate temperatures. Similarly, the days are sunny and bright with longer daylight. The temperature in the higher regions also gradually rises and becomes stable. During this time of the year, the skies are clear with great visibility.
The low wind also makes the climb to the summit easier. Another great thing about Mount Everest’s expedition in spring is to witness the stunning landscapes with blooming forests of rhododendrons. The flora and fauna are the most active in the lower regions. However, on the downside, the trails are crowded, and there are usually traffic jams on the way to the summit.
Autumn (September to November)
Autumn is the next best time for the Mount Everest expedition. As autumn begins, the rain from the previous summer season subsides. Moreover, the weather is most stable with clear days and mild temperatures. The sunny days with relatively low wind speeds make it an ideal time to summit the world’s highest mountain.
Visibility is excellent during autumn. The vegetation is luscious and thriving, so it is the best season to witness the region’s beauty. Additionally, the colorful autumn foliage elevates the beauty of the lower region trails. Due to the favorable weather conditions, Mount Everest expeditions during autumn have a higher success rate. However, the temperature gradually begins to drop as the season progresses. The days also start to get shorter, so trekkers must plan their climbs wisely.
Conclusion
Mount Everest has been captivating the imaginations of many since ancient times. It is the ultimate challenge for mountain enthusiasts and adventurers, with its own set of risks. Despite the dangers and the risk of potentially losing their lives, many set on an adventure to conquer Everest’s summit. Over the years, the number of mountaineers has increased, including beginners. It has raised concerns like climber safety, overcrowding, and littering on the mountain.
There are many fascinating facts about Mount Everest. As it is not possible to list them all, we have listed the top ten facts that you need to know and are the most interesting. As you know by now, the Everest expedition is not cheap, and not everybody has the physical and mental capability to undertake the adventure. However, you can get close to the mountain and follow the footsteps of Sir Hillary and Tenzing with Everest Base Camp Trek. Check out Himalayan Leaders’s website for further information!
