People in Nepal call it Sagarmatha, while those in Tibet know it as Chomolungma. It’s not just a famous peak; Mount Everest holds deep meaning for the people who live nearby. One of the most well-known facts about Everest is that it’s the highest mountain on Earth, reaching 8,848.86 meters or 29,031.69 ft. That’s the official height, and no other peak in the world stands taller. It’s been around for a very long time, with the Himalayas forming over 60 million years ago and continuing its slow but steady ascent. This giant sits right where China and Nepal meet.
There are plenty of other interesting facts about Mount Everest too. Many super brave people want to stand on Everest’s summit. Thousands have made it to the top, which is awesome, but it’s also hazardous because of the super high altitude and crazy cold, and sadly, some folks don’t make it back. The climb itself is physically and mentally exhausting. Most climbers follow either the route from Nepal or the one from Tibet, both of which are difficult in different ways. The first people to ever summit Everest were Sir Edmund Hillary and a Sherpa named Tenzing, but the first woman to climb Mount Everest was Junko Tabei in 1975.
Let’s delve into some fun facts about Mount Everest and weave in the details.
15 Interesting Facts About Mount Everest
Mt. Everest grows 44 millimetres each year.
You might not expect it, but Mount Everest is still growing. It goes up by around 44 millimetres every year. That’s just how Earth works; the tectonic plate keeps slowly pushing into the Eurasian one, and that pressure makes the land rise over time, contributing to the height of Everest. One fact about Everest that surprises people is this slow, steady growth that has been happening for millions of years, and it’s the reason the whole Himalayan mountain range exists today, including the towering peaks of Mount Chimborazo.
Mount Everest is around 450 million years old.
While the dramatic uplift that created the towering peaks we see today occurred much later. The rock formations that constitute Mount Everest are ancient, dating back roughly 450 million years ago. The geological forces that created what we now know as the height of Everest were already at work on the slopes of Everest. These rocks tell a story of ancient seas and continental shifts, a history far predating human climbers and their ambitious expedition to climb Everest.
Mount Everest is in Nepal and China.
Straddling the border between the two countries, Mount Everest has two primary faces and approaches. The southern side, more popular among mountaineers, is accessed through Nepal, with the iconic Everest Base Camp serving as the staging point. The northern route lies in Tibet, China, a popular path for those on the Everest Base Camp trek. This geographical positioning makes it a shared natural wonder for both nations.
Mount Everest is now 8,848.86 meters high.
Mount Everest’s official height stands at 8,848.86 meters. The fact about Mount Everest was confirmed in 2020, marking a year of challenges for climbers attempting to reach the summit of Everest. The survey was conducted by China and Nepal after a joint survey. The height was slightly adjusted due to improvements in technology and natural changes like tectonic activity. It’s fascinating that even the tallest mountain in the world continues to be measured and change over time, revealing new Everest facts.
There is a traffic jam on Mount Everest.
The appeal of conquering Everest draws hundreds of climbers each year. On popular summit days, this can lead to dangerous overcrowding in the death zone above 8,000 meters. Images of long queues of mountaineers inching their way toward the summit of Everest underscore the immense pressure and potential risks associated with such a popular expedition to climb Everest.
Everest has been summited over 9,000 times.
Thousands of climbers have realized the dream of standing on the summit of Everest since the historic first ascent in 1953. This impressive number reflects decades of increasingly sophisticated equipment, improved weather forecasting, and the invaluable support of experienced Sherpas who guide climbers to the summit of Mount Everest.
About 300 people have died on Mount Everest.
The sheer scale and unforgiving conditions of Everest mean that the pursuit of its summit comes with significant risks. The tough weather and the super high altitude have sadly caused the deaths of around 300 people who tried to climb Everest. Many of their frozen bodies remain on the mountain. The extreme conditions make recovering bodies both difficult and dangerous, especially during an Everest expedition.
Climbing Mount Everest is expensive.
The Nepal government has increased the price of climbing Mount Everest in the spring season from the previous fee of $11,000 (NPR 15,32,818) per person to $15,000 (Rs. 2,09,206) per person. On top of that, climbers need special gear, oxygen tanks, flights, food, and insurance, and they need to hire Sherpas for guidance. In total, the cost can range from $50,000 to $100,000 or more.Itis often the cost of an Everest expedition for climbers seeking to reach the summit. Because of the high cost, it is mostly only an option for those with deep pockets.
Tenzing is the first person to summit Mount Everest.
Tenzing Norgay was one of the first to climb Mount Everest. He did it in 1953. He climbed with Edmund Hillary. They reached the top together, and it was a huge moment in history. Tenzing had tried before, demonstrating the determination required to reach the summit of Mt. Everest. This time, he made it. He was strong and brave. He knew mountains well. He grew up near Everest. Many people admire him. In Nepal, he is a hero. His name will never be forgotten.
Nothing lives on top of Mount Everest.
The summit of Mt. Everest is far above the Earth’s atmosphere, where oxygen is scarce, making it a daunting challenge for any Everest climber. The temperatures there are freezing year-round, often dropping to extreme lows. The air is incredibly thin, with barely any oxygen, which is why breathing becomes difficult, even for the most experienced climbers. The high winds and constant exposure to the elements make it impossible for plants or animals to survive, particularly near the highest peak. Only the toughest and most prepared climbers venture to the top, enduring harsh conditions that prevent life from thriving.
It takes around 2 months to climb Mount Everest.
A typical expedition to climb Everest is a lengthy undertaking, often spanning around two months. This timeframe includes acclimatization periods at various camps, including Everest Base Camp, to allow climbers to gradually adjust to the thinning air and reduce the risk of altitude sickness before attempting to reach the summit. The journey to Base Camp itself is a significant trek.
The youngest person to climb Mount Everest was 13 years old.
The youngest person to climb Mount Everest was 13 years old. His name was Jordan Romero.Jordan Romero became famous as an Everest climber at a young age. He reached the top on December 24, 2010. Jordan started climbing when he was just 9. He was with his dad and a few guides on the climb. The conditions on Everest are tough, with cold and low oxygen, which are important facts about Mt. Everest that every climber must consider. But Jordan proved that age isn’t always a limit. His achievement sparked considerable debate about the ethics of allowing children to face such extreme physical and mental challenges at high altitudes.
There is a “2 o’clock rule” for climbing Mount Everest.
To mitigate the risks associated with descending in darkness and dwindling oxygen supplies, climbers must follow a general “2 o’clock rule” when attempting to summit Everest. This guideline suggests that mountaineers should turn back by 2 PM at the latest, regardless of whether they have reached the summit, to ensure they have enough daylight and energy for a safe descent back to high camps.
Mount Everest isn’t the tallest mountain on the planet.
A lot of people think Mount Everest is the tallest mountain, but it’s not. Everest is the highest point above sea level at 29,031.69 ft. Mauna Kea is the tallest mountain when measured under the ocean, and when measured from the ocean floor, it’s over 33,500 ft tall. So, Mauna Kea is technically taller, but Everest is still considered the tallest because it’s the highest above sea level.
Conclusion
Mount Everest is the highest mountain that pulls people in from all over, even though it’s dangerous. Climbers face cold, thin air, and tough weather as they try to get to the top. Still, despite these challenges, it is a place many dreams of reaching. The facts about Mount Everest show just how tough it is, but that’s also what makes it so appealing to those who want to push their limits.
But climbing Everest isn’t just about reaching the top. It’s about determination, bravery, and testing what you’re made of. Even with the overcrowding and dangers of the “death zone,” climbers keep coming. Everest may be brutal, but it’s a symbol of what people can achieve when they go after something big, often referred to as the “mother of the world.”