The peak of Mount Everest stands as Earth's ultimate pinnacle, reaching an astounding height that captures the imagination of adventurers worldwide. This majestic summit represents the highest point our planet offers, towering above all other mountains and challenging climbers to push beyond human limits. Mount Everest attracts thousands of mountaineers annually, each seeking to conquer what many consider the ultimate mountaineering achievement.
While Mount Everest claims the title of the highest peak on Earth above sea level, it's fascinating to note that Mauna Kea, the Hawaiian volcano, actually holds the record as the highest underwater peak. When measured from its oceanic base to its summit, Mauna Kea extends over 33,000 feet, making it technically taller than Everest when considering its complete structure from sea floor to peak.
Where is the Highest Peak on Earth Located?
The peak of Mount Everest rests on the border of Nepal and Tibet (China), elevated in the heart of the Himalayas, in a geo-positioned coordinate of latitude 27°59′17″N and longitude 86°55′31″E; therefore, it can act as a border or boundary between two countries.
The southern route is within Sagarmatha National Park in Nepal, and the northern face is within Qomolangma National Nature Preserve in Tibet. Regardless of the international dispute of whether it should correctly be called "Nepal" or "Tibet," the mountain is well represented on both sides of the border, as a mountain. Because of the mountain's border location, climbers can attempt to reach the summit of the highest mountain in the world from either the Nepal side or the Tibet side, with different logistics, challenges, and views of the mountain.
According to a 2020 joint measurement by China and Nepal, Mount Everest's official height is 8848.86 meters (29,031.7 feet) above sea level. This height represented both the maximum height of Everest and the height of the snow cap instead of just the rock summit. Geologists and scientists use GPS, satellite data, and triangulation to determine the height of Mount Everest.
Climbers ascending Mount Everest's snowy ridge with rope assistance
Sometimes it is difficult to determine an exact height with the sea level baseline, as well as measuring heights, through tectonic activity, snow accumulation, and geological shifts in the region that could exist when measuring. It is important to note that the primary height of Mount Everest, and specifically the height of the peak, changes slightly from year to year, but for now, and from the evidence that supports it, it is growing about 4 millimeters a year due to the tectonic plates' movements. The Indian plate keeps pushing onto the Eurasian plate continuously, which forces the Himalayas to rise incrementally over time.
A Mount Everest summit climb provides extreme conditions that push human function to its most difficult limits. At such high altitudes, atmospheric pressure is one-third of sea level pressure, causing oxygen concentration to become limited enough to make survival impossible.
At the summit, the average temperature ranges from -15°F to -60°F (-26°C to -51°C), with winds during storm seasons of over 200 miles per hour. Once climbers cross 26,000 feet, they enter what mountaineers refer to as the "death zone", whereby prolonged time without supplemental oxygen leads to death.
Climbers typically have a limited "weather window" for summiting in May and October when the monsoons allow for brief periods of relatively calm weather. These brief windows are critical to a climber's success and failure, potentially reaching the highest peak on Earth.
Who Was the First Person to Reach the Peak of Mount Everest?
Sir Edmund Hillary from New Zealand and Tenzing Norgay, a Sherpa originally from Nepal, were the first verifiable climbers to reach the Peak of Mount Everest on May 29, 1953. This historic undertaking was a turning point in the history of mountaineering and paved the way for generations of climbers to follow.
Mountaineers climbing Everest's steep snowy slope with safety ropes
Hillary and Tenzing's expedition, led by Colonel John Hunt, was coming to the mountain using the South Col route from Nepal. The pair spent somewhere between 10-15 minutes at the summit, taking photographs and leaving offerings before beginning their descent. Tenzing buried some sweets and biscuits as a Buddhist offering, and Hillary left a cross.
This was the landmark ascent that answered the question "Who is the first person to reach the peak of Mount Everest?" and ensured that both men would remain legends in the climbing community's history. It was achieved following many attempts and failed expeditions, including others earlier in their expedition. Both men proved that with the right preparation, dedication, and teamwork, climbing the highest peak in the world was possible.
Climbing to the Highest Peak in the World
There are two main routes to the summit of Mount Everest: the South Col route from Nepal and the North Col route from Tibet. The South Col route is still the more popular route, taking around 70% of summit attempts. The South Col route climbers establish base camps at high elevations, for example, Base Camp (17,600 feet), Camp I (19,500 feet, Camp II (21,300 feet), Camp III (24,500 feet), Camp IV (26,000 feet), and then go up to the Summit. The North Col route has a similar structure but starts from the Tibetan side.
How long to the peak of Mount Everest? Typically, most expeditions will take 6-10 weeks overall to acclimatize, wait for the weather, climb, etc. The summit push takes 3-5 days to get from Base Camp, depending on the climber's experience and weather conditions.
Climbers will spend months training physically, acclimatizing to altitude, and developing their technical climbing skills before attempting to summit the highest peak in the world. It will take time and money - typically, climbs cost over $59,000 per person.
Challenges of Reaching the Summit
Every time a climber reaches the summit of Mount Everest, they face several life-threatening challenges. Since climbing began, more than 300 people have died on Everest and other peaks. Altitude sickness is considered the number one killer on Everest because at the summit, there will be only one-third of the oxygen found at sea level. For instance, there is a dreaded area on Everest known as the “death zone” that extends from 8,000 to 8,848 meters. Above 8,000 meters, human survival is extremely limited at best
Sunrise from highest camp of Mt. Everest with orange tents and cloud-covered peaks
Climbers are subjected to extreme fatigue, poor decision-making, severely reduced ability to perform complex actions such as putting on gloves, and also suffer a greater chance of frostbite and hypothermia. Of course, climbers also experience extremely bad weather conditions, and the highest point on Earth is notorious for precipitous weather changes that can lead to devastating avalanches or storms that can begin without warning, causing climbers to be trapped for several days.
The temperature can drop unexpectedly, forcing climbers to make immediate changes to their climbing plans. Additionally, the mountain is notorious for a powerful jet stream that can kick rapidly up to hurricane speeds, preventing or making it impossible to attempt the summit in less-than-ideal conditions. Other killers include falling into crevasses, falling seracs, and equipment failures. More important should be the physical demands of climbing and carrying heavy loads at extreme altitude while facing serious cognitive and or emotional stressors.
Being that the Summit of Mount Everest has had many amazing moments since Hillary and Tenzing's first ascent, we can mention a few notable climbs. Junko Tabei of Japan was the first woman to summit Mount Everest in 1975, inspiring many female climbers around the world.
Jordan Romero became the youngest person to summit Everest in 2010, at the age of 13. Yuichiro Miura of Japan is the oldest person to summit Everest at 80 years old in 2013.
Speed records have changed over the years, but some Sherpas still hold records. In 2003, Lakpa Gelu Sherpa made the fastest climb from base camp to summit in 10 hours and 56 minutes. These climbs demonstrate what humanity can achieve when properly trained for it, and the conditions are conducive.
Sadly, the mountain has had significant disasters like the 1996 storm that killed eight climbers. This disaster and others have led to many books and films about the dangers of climbing Everest.
Mount Everest vs. Other Peaks
While Mount Everest's summit is the highest point on our planet by elevation, other mountains are ultimately harder. K2, nicknamed the "Savage Mountain," is the second-highest peak at 28,251 feet; however, it has a much higher mortality rate than Everest. Annapurna is the most dangerous 8,000-meter peak, with a mortality rate exceeding 20%. Denali in Alaska has its own set of challenges with frigid temperatures and very unpredictable weather, effectively the highest mountain in North America at 20,310 feet.
Mount Everest's snow-covered peak against clear blue sky
Mount Everest's max elevation makes it unique among the mountain peaks all over the world, but the technical climbing difficulty varies widely. Some climbers would argue that the Eiger North Face or Cerro Torre presents more of a technical challenge than any of the standard routes of Everest.
All major peaks bring different traits, but no summit can rival the symbol or world recognition that you summit the highest peak in the world.
Interesting Facts About the Peak of Mount Everest
Mount Everest, also known as "Sagarmatha" in Nepali and "Chomolungma" in Tibetan, has great cultural and spiritual significance for the local communities. And, as these appellations illustrate, the mountain has cultural and spiritual significance that far outweighs any potential for a human climb.
Aerial view of Mount Everest's pyramid summit above clouds
Scientists often refer to the Himalayan mountain range, including all of the adjacent peaks, including Mount Everest, as "the Third Pole" because of the vast amounts of ice that are stored in the glacier deposits of the vicinity. As the glaciers continue to melt because of worldwide climate change, water sources that billions of consumers depend on for their livelihoods will be affected as well.
Mount Everest itself is not a static measure. Geological activity continues to alter the elevation and hence the overall height of the Peak of Mount Everest. The 2015 earthquake that affected Nepal actually shortened Mount Everest by about an inch. As this earthquake showed, the highest mountain in the world is still subject to seismic activity.
To the astonishment of many, the summit of Mount Everest has cell phone coverage. This development allows climbers to reach out to their loved ones or share on social media directly from the top of the world. The weather stations and scientific equipment on the summit return critical climate data to the scientific community at large.
Beyond the science, Mount Everest has a considerable economic impact on Nepal and Tibet, as climbing permits, guide services, and equipment sales support many thousands of local families. All of this commercial activity raises questions about waste and accommodation.
Mount Everest is 8,848.86 meters (29,031.7 feet) above sea level. This official measurement was jointly announced by China and Nepal in 2020, after years of debate and re-surveys.
How long does it take to reach the peak?
Climbing Mount Everest usually takes around two months. Climbers spend several weeks acclimatizing at different camps before making the final push to the summit, which itself takes 6–9 hours from the last camp (Camp IV at the South Col).
Who was the first to reach the peak?
On May 29, 1953, Sir Edmund Hillary of New Zealand and Tenzing Norgay, a Sherpa climber from Nepal, became the first people to reach the summit of Mount Everest.
What is the max elevation?
The maximum elevation of Mount Everest is 8,848.86 meters (29,031.7 feet), making it the highest peak on Earth above sea level. Its height can slightly change due to earthquakes, plate tectonics, and snow accumulation.
How much does it cost to climb?
Climbing Mount Everest is very expensive, with costs ranging from $39,000 to $99,000 USD or more per climber. This includes the permit fee (around $14,000 from Nepal), guides, gear, oxygen, food, and travel logistics.
How many people have died on Mount Everest?
Since climbing began, over 300 climbers have lost their lives on Mount Everest. Many bodies remain on the mountain due to the extreme conditions, making it both a graveyard and a symbol of human endurance.
Conclusion
The Summit of Mount Everest remains a source of inspiration for adventurers, scientists, and dreamers across the globe and exemplifies humanity's perpetual endeavor to discover Earth's extreme landscapes. This awe-inspiring summit is representative of the highest point on earth, but more importantly, a statement of human will, multinational alliances, and reverence for the extraordinary power of nature.
From the perspective of scientific exploration, climbing achievement, or cultural relevance, the Summit of Mount Everest caters to a unique experience, be it mystically or scientifically, as one of Earth's most intriguing and cherished natural wonders. As climbing technology advances, and as more climbers embrace the dream of years to access this ultimate destination, the journey continues to provide lessons in preparation, environmental respect, and awareness of one's limits.
The enduring appeal of how tall Mount Everest is and the ongoing quest to reach its summit ensure that this remarkable peak will continue capturing human imagination for generations to come, standing forever as Earth's ultimate vertical challenge. Ready to experience the Himalayas yourself? Contact Himalayan Recreation Treks today to plan your dream adventure to Everest Base Camp or other spectacular peaks in the region!
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