Mount Everest
The highest mountain in the world
*** IMPORTANT: I researched and wrote this entire piece using the Internet as a resource - combined a lot of scattered info here (three weeks approx). While I have not personally visited Mount Everest, I recently watched a video about an Everest climber in my native language and it sparked my interest and excitement for mountain climbing. As a result, I wanted to learn more about the mountain and wrote this information.In the Himalayas
An elevation of 29,032 feet (8,849 meters) above sea level. It is located in the Mahalangur Range of the Himalayas, straddling the border between Nepal and Tibet, China.
Despite its towering height, Mount Everest's weather and climate are characterized by extreme conditions. The temperature at the Summit never exceeds freezing, and in January, it can drop as low as -60° C (-76° F). However, the biggest challenge for climbers is not the low temperature, but rather the hurricane-force winds and wind chill."
The mountain is part of the "Seven Summits" - the highest peaks on each of the seven continents - and is one of the most popular destinations for mountain climbers.
Climbing to the peak of the world is a challenging and potentially deadly task due to the extreme altitude, avalanches, icefalls, and other hazards. Despite its location near the equator at a latitude of about 28 degrees, the mountain is still home to these dangerous conditions. It's easy to kill many climbers on terrifying falls and deep crevasses.
The above video was recorded from Google Earth. A high-quality render is available below (The path to the Summit).
Since humans first reached Mount Everest's Summit in 1953, climbing the world's highest mountain has changed dramatically.
These expeditions provide a relatively safe and easy route up the mountain for those willing to pay the high cost and accept the inherent risks.
Origin
It is estimated by Earth scientists to be around 50 to 60 million years old, which is relatively young in geological terms, according to National Geographic. The mountain was created by the collision of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, which caused the rocks that make up Everest to be pushed upward. This same force continues to operate today, causing the Summit of Everest to rise slightly yearly by about a quarter of an inch.
Mount Everest with snow melted, showing upper geologic layers in bands. And it is shaped like a three-sided pyramid.
Everest was named after George Everest, a former Surveyor General of India, in the 19th century. In Tibetan, the mountain is called Chomolungma, which means "Mother Goddess of the World." In Nepali, the mountain is called Sagarmatha, a name with multiple meanings.
Geologists have subdivided the rocks comprising Mount Everest into three units called formations. From the Summit of Mount Everest to its base, these rock units are the Qomolangma Formation, the North Col Formation, and the Rongbuk Formation.
Qomolangma Formation
The Qomolangma Formation is a layer of Ordovician limestone with dolomite and siltstone on Mount Everest. The formation is divided by high-angle faults ending at the Qomolangma Detachment, which separates it from the Yellow Band below.
North Col
The North Col Formation makes up the bulk of Mount Everest, between 7,000 and 8,600 meters, and the Yellow Band is the upper part of this formation, between 8,200 and 8,600 meters.
Rongbuk Formation
The Rongbuk Formation at the base of Mount Everest is made up of schist, gneiss, and leucogranite that formed during the subduction of the Indian Plate. Mount Everest consists of sedimentary and metamorphic rocks deformed and metamorphosed by the collision of the Indian and Asian plates. The Himalayas are slowly rising.
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View Everest on Google Maps & Google Earth
Coordinates: 27°59'17.2 "N 86°55'29.9 "E (Latitude: 27.98812, Longitude: 86.924973)
Expeditions
Efforts to ascend Mount Everest, the highest mountain in the world, have been ongoing since the early 1900s, and its popularity soared when international guides began to pioneer commercial trips up the mountain. However, the climb is a risky endeavor, with many fatalities recorded over the years. This is due to the mountain's extreme altitude, harsh weather conditions, and technical difficulties that make it a formidable challenge.
The mountain itself lies in a highly isolated location. Using supplemental oxygen and advanced climbing techniques have helped make the ascent safer, but the risks are still significant. Despite these risks, the desire to conquer the highest mountain in the world continues to attract ambitious climbers.
Despite the risks, Everest draws hundreds of mountaineers worldwide to its slopes yearly. In 2021, the Nepal Ministry of Tourism issued a record 408 Everest climbing permits, the highest in its history.
Main Milestones in the History of Everest
Reconnaissance of 1921(The first British expedition): It was primarily for mapping and reconnaissance to discover whether a route to the Summit could be found from the north side.
1922: First attempt: The second British expedition, under General Charles Granville Bruce and climbing leader Lt-Col. Edward Lisle Strutt, containing Mallory, returned for a full-scale attempt on the mountain.
1924: Mallory and Irvine: The 2nd expedition with the goal of achieving the first ascent of Mount Everest. The mountaineers George Mallory and Andrew "Sandy" Irvine disappeared on the third attempt.
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1953: Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay: The expedition marked the first successful ascent of Mount Everest and the first time anyone had reached the mountain's Summit. The expedition consisted of a team of climbers, including Sir Edmund Hillary of New Zealand and Tenzing Norgay, a Sherpa of Nepal. The team spent several weeks acclimatizing and preparing for the climb. The expedition was widely hailed as a great achievement, and Hillary and Norgay became international celebrities.
1956: Swiss Expedition
1960: The North Ridge
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1980: First winter ascent
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2022 and still happening. Why? Because it’s there!
Since the first recognized mountain ascent by Sir Edmund Hillary of New Zealand and Tenzing Norgay, a Sherpa of Nepal, in 1953, many more people have successfully reached the Summit, and the mountain has become a popular destination for mountaineers.
Everest Summit Temperatures
The coldest temperatures of the year occur from December 15th to the end of January, with an average temperature of -37C at the Summit and -17C at basecamp.
The most favorable weather for climbing to the top of Mount Everest typically occurs during the latter half of May (the short window for climbing the mountain summit temperatures average -25°C.). However, the process of preparing for a successful ascent starts months in advance. Most teams arrive in Kathmandu in late March in order to begin the process of acclimatization. As they make their way to base camp, their support staff and high-altitude workers are already on the mountain, transporting supplies and preparing the route to the summit.
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In April and May, temperatures warm up, allowing for t-shirt weather during the day, although nights are still cold. It is common for climbers to wear t-shirts to camp three during this time.
During April, climbers typically take several trips up the mountain that involve spending the night at successively higher camps in order to acclimatize. These trips are known as "rotations" in the language used by those who climb Mount Everest. At the same time, the first teams of Nepalese guides reach the summit. By the middle of May, it is hoped that there will be an established path with fixed ropes stretching for several miles from base camp to the summit, with various camps along the way that are well-supplied.
Cloud Formations of Everest
Mount Everest's pyramidal shape and strong winds give rise to a rare cloud type known as a "Banner Cloud." These clouds can be seen on clear days on the lee side of the mountain, and they form as winds wrap around the mountain and create a temporary low-pressure cell that draws moisture upwards.
The Matterhorn in Switzerland is another peak that can produce this type of cloud. It was previously thought that the Banner Cloud only forms around Everest because it is the only mountain that protrudes into the jet stream. Still, recent research suggests that it is more likely due to the combination of high winds and the mountain's specific shape.
To Note
The Summit of Mount Everest has lower air pressure, making it challenging for climbers to breathe in enough oxygen. At the top of Everest, the air pressure is only about one-third of what is at sea level.
IMPORTANT: READ ABOUT THE 2014 ICE AVALANCHES
Sherpas
Ethnic Group
The Sherpa is one of the Tibetan ethnic groups native to the most mountainous regions of Nepal, Tingri County in the Tibet Autonomous Region, and the Himalayas. They have a long history of assisting climbers on Mount Everest and other regional high peaks. They are known for their physical strength and ability to withstand extreme cold and high altitudes, making them well-suited for supporting climbers' demanding work.
Sherpas often play several roles in helping climbers, including carrying equipment, setting up camps, fixing ropes, and providing guidance and support along the route. Some Sherpas also work as climbing guides, leading groups of climbers up the mountain and providing expert knowledge of the way and conditions. Overall, the assistance provided by Sherpas is invaluable to climbers attempting to reach the Summit of Mount Everest and other high peaks in the region.
Everest's Guides
The industry largely depends on a dedicated group of professional Nepalese guides who work together each year to prepare the route with fixed ropes and ladders, provide necessary equipment and supplies such as tents, stoves, oxygen tanks, and food, and guide foreign climbers to the Summit. These guides play a crucial role in the industry's success by ensuring that climbers have the support and resources needed to reach the mountain's top.
Everest is a significant source of revenue for local logistics companies and the government of Nepal. The cost of joining a commercial team for an ascent of the mountain can range from $40,000 to $100,000, depending on the level of service and the expertise of the outfitter.
The Path to the Summit
Seventeen routes have been established for climbing Mount Everest, but most climbers use one of two main routes. The Southeast Ridge, which was first ascended by Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hilary in 1953, is the most popular route from Nepal. The North Ridge, where George Mallory disappeared in 1924, is the main route from Tibet and was finally successfully climbed by a Chinese team in 1960.
When climbing the Southeast Ridge of Mount Everest, mountaineers must navigate through the dangerous Khumbu Icefall. However, this route is slightly shorter and allows for a quicker descent in the event of an emergency. On the other hand, the North Ridge allows for access by jeep up to basecamp, but climbers must cover a significant distance of terrain above 27,000 feet in order to reach the summit.
Keep in mind that climbing Mount Everest is a very challenging and dangerous endeavor, and it requires a high level of skill, experience, and physical and mental fitness. Climbers must be properly trained and equipped, and they must be prepared to deal with the challenges and risks of high-altitude mountaineering, including extreme cold, thin air, and harsh weather conditions. The route up the mountain is long and strenuous, and it involves ascending steep slopes, traversing crevasses and icefalls, and navigating exposed ridges and cliffs. It is important for climbers to be aware of their surroundings and to be prepared for the challenges that they may encounter on the mountain.
Everest Base Camp
5,300 meters (17,388 feet)
There are two base camps on opposite sides of Mount Everest: South Base Camp, located in Nepal at an altitude of 5,364 meters (17,598 feet), and North Base Camp, located in Tibet, China at 5,150 meters (16,900 feet). These base camps are simple campsites at the base of the mountain that are used by climbers during their ascent and descent and are also visited by hikers. South Base Camp is used for climbing via the southeast ridge, while North Base Camp is used for climbing via the northeast ridge.
The Khumbu Icefall
5,486 meters (18,000 feet)
A treacherous section of the glacier characterized by seracs and crevasses that are constantly shifting and moving forward about a meter per day. It is located on the Nepali side of Mount Everest at an elevation of 17,999 feet (5,486 meters), near Base Camp and southwest of the summit. The icefall is considered one of the most perilous stages of the South Col route to the top of the mountain.
Like a giant horror chamber at an amusement park, but this one is real. There are numerous frightening things that can occur here, such as falling into a crevasse, being hit by an ice pinnacle, or experiencing a collapse of the entire area. It is not a safe or suitable place for a leisurely outing.
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The official Himalayan Database records 44 deaths in the Icefall between 1953 to 2016. No deaths have been recorded between 2017 and 2021.
Camp 1: Valley of Silence (The Western Cwm)
6,000 meters (19,685 feet)
Cwm (pronounced "koom") is a Welsh word that means "valley,"
A vast, flat expanse of snow with deep crevasses and mountain walls that are often subject to avalanches. This is where Camp 1 is set up. At night, the deep, muffled cracking sounds of the crevasses opening and closing beneath the tents can be heard. Everyone hopes that this will not happen directly under their tent, especially not while they are inside. Many people experience severe headaches while at this altitude. However, this is also where the first close view of Everest can be seen just a few steps around the corner.
Camp 2: Advanced Base Camp
6,400 meters (21,000 feet)
Camp 2 is located at the foot of the icy Lhotse wall after a long, slow journey through a silent valley. This is a beautiful place where clouds roll in from the lower ranges of the Himalayas and into the camp. During the acclimatization process, climbers search for old climbing gear left behind by past Everest expeditions. This is also the last opportunity to enjoy a well-prepared meal, as soon climbers will be surviving on instant food only.
Camp 3, Lhotse Wall
7,200 meters (23,620 feet)
Lhotse, one of the highest peaks in the world, has an expansive western flank known as the Lhotse Face. This wall of glacial blue ice is a key part of the traditional southeast route up Everest and cannot be avoided. Camp III is located roughly halfway up the Lhotse Face, which rises approximately 3,700 feet from its base at the bergshrund to the top. The route is steep, with pitches ranging from 40 to 50 degrees, and includes some sections with slopes as steep as 80 degrees. Ropes are fixed along the entire route to help climbers, who must use a rhythmic motion of pulling and stepping up, with their front points kicked into the hard blue ice, to make their way to the South Col at the top.
The Yellow Band
7,770 meters (25,400 feet)
One of the notable features of the Lhotse Face is the Yellow Band, a section of sedimentary sandstone rock that requires around 100 meters of rope to cross. When climbing the route up Everest, this is the first time that climbers will encounter solid rock. It is easy to tell when a climber has reached the Yellow Band because their crampons will hit the hard rock surface. The Yellow Band is often visible from the South Col, a flat, open area on the mountain that is located at an altitude of around 7,900 meters (26,000 feet). The Yellow Band is a distinctive feature of the mountain and is often used as a reference point by climbers as they make their way up the mountain.
Camp 4: The South Col
7,900 meters (26,000 feet)
The site known as Camp IV, or the high camp, is located on a rock-strewn, wind-swept saddle between Everest and Lhotse at an altitude of 26,000 feet. The term "col" is a Welsh word for saddle or pass, and this location was named by the British Reconnaissance Expedition of 1921, which viewed it from a distance of about seven miles. All expeditions currently use this location as the high camp, but it is still a demanding climb of 3,000 feet to the summit from here. The campsite, which is about the size of a football field, is littered with discarded expedition equipment. At this altitude, most expedition and Sherpa members sleep with a low flow of oxygen, except for those who wish to attempt the summit without supplementary oxygen. The area is subject to fierce jet stream winds that can demolish an unoccupied tent in minutes, so expeditions do not set up their tents until they arrive.
located on a plateau that resembles a moonscape. From this high altitude, the sky takes on a strange, dark blue color, and the atmosphere feels thin. It is as close as one can get to experiencing space on Earth.
The Geneva Spur
8,250 meters (27,000 feet)
A prominent feature on the route up Everest. It is named after a Swiss expedition that discovered it in 1952. The spur is an anvil-shaped rib of black rock that is covered with snow and is steep enough to require the use of ropes to scramble up its surface. The Geneva Spur begins at an altitude of about 24,000 feet and represents the last major challenge for climbers before reaching the final camp on the mountain.
The Southeast Ridge
8,470 meters (27,790 feet)
At an altitude of 27,700 feet, climbers reach the Southeast Ridge and a platform called "The Balcony." This is a place where they can rest and take in the view as the dawn light illuminates the peaks to the east and south. From The Balcony, the snow ridge rises 1,000 feet to the South Summit and then arcs gently to the north. About 400 feet below the South Summit, there is a series of rock steps that may require climbers to veer eastward and walk through waist-deep snow. This can be a challenging and potentially dangerous part of the climb, as the wind-deposited snow in this area may be prone to avalanches.
The Cornice Traverse
8,500 meters (27,887 feet)
A section of the climb that is approximately 400 feet long and consists of horizontal rock and wind-carved snow. It is widely considered to be the most intimidating part of the ascent. Climbers must carefully traverse a narrow ridge of snow that is attached to intermittent rocks. This is the most exposed part of the entire climb, and a misstep to the right could result in a fall of 10,000 feet down the Kangshung Face, while a misstep to the left could send a climber plummeting 8,000 feet down the Southwest Face. Fixed ropes are in place to help prevent such accidents.
The South Summit
8,749 meters (28,704 feet)
A small, snow-covered dome at an altitude of 28,700 feet represents the first victory of the day for climbers. From here, they can see the final obstacles ahead of them, including the Cornice Traverse, the Hillary Step, and the final slopes to the summit. It is a tradition for climbers to change their oxygen bottles at the South Summit in order to have a fresh one for the final ascent and return journey. If the weather is poor or it is late in the day, this is a key decision-making point at which climbers may choose to turn back rather than continue to the summit.
The Hillary Step
8,790 meters (28,840 feet)
A well-known physical feature on Everest stands at an altitude of 28,750 feet. It is a 40-foot-high spur of snow and ice that was first climbed in 1953 by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay. The Hillary Step is the final hurdle that must be overcome before reaching the gently sloping summit of the mountain. Modern climbers use a fixed rope to ascend the Hillary Step, but in the past, Hillary and Norgay managed to climb this impressive obstacle using primitive ice climbing equipment and no fixed ropes. Their achievement is still marveled at today.
The Summit
8,849 meters (29,032 feet)
At 29,032 feet above sea level, the summit of Everest is the highest point on Earth. It is covered with a variety of items left by climbers, such as prayer flags, remnants of surveying equipment, photographs of family members, prayer packets, and discarded oxygen bottles. The summit is about the size of a picnic table and has steeply sloping snow-covered surfaces on the north, southwest, and east sides. Climbers should be careful not to venture too far to the east, as there are large cornices that overhang a 10,000-foot face. From the summit, it is possible to see a 360-degree panoramic view that includes the Tibetan Plateau to the north and the great Himalayan peaks of Kanchenjunga to the east, Makalu to the southeast, and Cho Oyu to the west. On a clear day, the view is said to be so expansive that it feels like one can see across half a continent. Some climbers heading back down the mountain often collect small rocks as mementos of their climb, which they can do about 150 feet below the summit.
Sunrise! If you are lucky, now is the time for the fabled mountain ghost.
The mountain projects itself onto the morning fog. The shadow towers in front of you like a giant mirage. Beneath lies, the world in all its glory, glowing in the rising sun. You feel the warmth and all hope returning.
Coming Down
Climbing down from the summit of Mount Everest can be just as dangerous as climbing up, and it is important to be cautious and prepared at all times. It is essential to have enough oxygen to make it back to camp and to remain focused and alert throughout the descent. The climb down from the summit involves navigating a series of challenging and potentially hazardous obstacles, such as the Balcony and the wall below it. It is essential to be careful and to use ropes or other safety equipment if necessary, especially if the weather is bad or the fixed ropes are not visible. Be sure to pay attention to your surroundings and avoid crevasses or other hazards. Once you have made it back to the South Col, you can take a well-deserved rest in your tent before celebrating your successful summit of Mount Everest.
