Everest has a height of 8848 meters. Mount Everest amazing facts

Address: China
First ascent: May 29, 1953
Height: 8848 m
Coordinates: 27°59"08.8"N 86°55"32.0"E

Content:

Nepal is known to the whole world as the birthplace of the Buddha and as a climbing Mecca, on the territory of which 8 of the 14 highest peaks of the world (“eight-thousanders”) are fully or partially located.

View of Everest from the east

But the geographer himself was against this and called the mountain exclusively by the Tibetan name - Chomolungma. Before the mountain received a European name, it was also called Chomo-Kankar (Tib. "Queen of snow whiteness"). The nature of Everest is beautiful and harsh. In the world of rocks, snow and eternal ice, frosts down to minus 60 ° C prevail, and strong winds blow at the top of the mountain at a speed of up to 200 km / h. Ice falls and snow avalanches are a frequent occurrence here. At an altitude of 7925 meters, the so-called "death zone" begins, where only 30% of the amount of oxygen that is present at sea level is concentrated.

Everest - the mountain of death, or to success over corpses

The conquest of Everest is comparable only to the flight to the moon. It only takes a few minutes to stand on top of the mountain to go down in history. In order to look at the world from the height of the Chomolungma, people are ready to sacrifice their health and risk their lives.

Everest view

Storming Everest, the climber knows that he has a chance of not returning. Death can be caused by a lack of oxygen, heart failure, frostbite, and trauma. Fatal accidents also lead to death (the valve of an oxygen cylinder has frozen, etc.), and the conceited indifference of neighbors. So, in 1996, a group of Japanese rock climbers, while climbing a mountain, met with three Indian colleagues who were in a semi-conscious state. The Japanese passed by, the Indians died. As one of the participants of the Russian Himalayan expedition Alexander Abramov said: “At an altitude of more than 8000 meters, one cannot afford the luxury of morality. Above 8000 meters you are completely occupied with yourself, and in such extreme conditions you do not have extra strength to help a friend. The tragedy that happened on Everest in May 2006 shocked the whole world: 42 climbers passed by the slowly freezing Englishman David Sharpe, but no one helped him.

One of them was the television people of the Discovery channel, who tried to interview the dying man and, having photographed him, left him alone.

Everest climbing records

In total, approximately 4,000 people have conquered Everest to date. The glory of the first ascent belongs to the participants of the English expedition - on May 29, 1953, Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay reached the summit of Everest for the first time in the history of mankind. Here, at the high-altitude pole of the planet, the climbers spent only 15 minutes. After shaking hands, they buried chocolates in the snow as an offering to the gods and hoisted the flags of Great Britain, Nepal and India, and on top of them - the UN flag. The news of the successful expedition reached Elizabeth II on the day of her coronation, in connection with which there was a legend that the conquest of Everest was being prepared as a gift to the Queen of England.

View of Everest from the west

In 1978, a new record was set - the Italian R. Messner and the German P. Habeler reached the summit without the use of oxygen cylinders.

The "Top of the World" attracts climbers of all ages: the oldest person to climb was 76-year-old Nepalese Min Bahadur Sherkhan, and the youngest was 13-year-old American Jordan Romero. But Mark Inglis deserves special admiration: in 2006, for the first time in history, a man with two amputated legs was able to reach the top of Everest! Inglis's legs were taken away (both below the knee) after suffering severe frostbite while climbing Cook's Peak (3,754m), New Zealand's highest peak.

Climbing Everest, Inglis used prostheses. According to him, he even had advantages over other climbers: “I definitely won’t get frostbite on my toes.”

View of the snowy Everest

And here is another example of the greatest fortitude: in 2001, the blind American Eric Weihenmeier climbed to the top of Everest, who by that time had already conquered the highest mountains on all 7 continents. In an interview with journalists, Weihenmeier said: "By climbing the 7 highest peaks of 7 continents, I wanted to show people that unattainable goals are actually achievable." In addition, in order to realize his dream, a blind disabled person had to earn a lot of money, since the cost of a commercial ascent is up to 65 thousand US dollars, and only one license issued by the Nepalese authorities and giving the right to climb Everest costs 10 thousand dollars. And taking into account the cost of equipment, provisions, accommodation in the camp and the services of a guide, everyone who wants to conquer Everest spends at least 25 thousand dollars.

View of the summit of Everest

A typical expedition reaches the top of Chomolungma in 2 months: it takes two weeks to climb to the base camp at an altitude of 5360 meters, a month takes acclimatization, and only after a person adapts to difficult mountain conditions, you can start climbing. But climbing a mountain with a height of 8848 meters is not the finish line, then an equally difficult descent follows.

A man lives in Nepal who conquered the “top of the world” 21 times, and amazing spiders live on the very top, which was once the seabed. The mountain is still growing, has not even two, but four official names and, by the way, is not the highest in the world.

(Total 10 photos)

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1. Himalayan spiders

Even high in the mountains, where there is barely enough oxygen to breathe, we cannot hide from the spiders. Euophrys omnisuperstes, better known as the Himalayan jumping spider, hides in the nooks and crannies of Everest, making it one of the highest living creatures on Earth. Climbers found them at an altitude of 6700 meters. These spiders are able to feed on almost everything that can fly so high. With the exception of some species of birds, they are the only living creatures that permanently live at such an altitude. True, in 1924, during a British expedition to Everest, a previously unknown species of grasshoppers was found here - now they are on display in the British Museum of Natural History.

2. Record climbing Everest - 21 times

Appa Tenzing, also known as Appa Sherpa, was able to conquer the top of the world 21 times. Its first ascent took place in May 1990, after three earlier unsuccessful attempts. Apparently, having learned all the secrets of climbing, Appa continued to conquer Everest every year - from 1990 to 2011. He repeatedly stressed that the effects of global warming are clearly visible in the mountains. Appa is concerned about the melting of snow and ice, which makes climbing the mountain more difficult, as well as the safety of his people, after his home village was flooded by a melted glacier. Appa made his last four ascents of Everest as part of ecological expeditions.

The conquest of Everest is not as romantic as it might seem at first glance. Thanks to the significant development of the tourism industry, there has been a significant increase in the number of ascents to the highest mountain in the world. So, in 1983, only 8 people reached the top, and in 2012, 234 people got there in just one day. It is not surprising that traffic jams and even fights happen when conquering Everest. So, in 2013, climbers Uli Stack, Simon Moreau and Jonathan Griffith got into a fight with the Sherpas after the latter asked them to stop climbing. The Sherpas accused the climbers of causing the avalanche. A dispute began, which, on emotions, turned into a fierce fight using stones. It came to death threats, but the climbers returned to the base camp, where the rest of their “colleagues” took their side. Even the Nepalese army had to intervene in the incident - then both sides of the conflict signed an agreement on its peaceful settlement.

4. 450 million years of history

Although the Himalayan mountains formed about 60 million years ago, their history begins much earlier. 450 million years ago, limestone and rocks were part of the sedimentary layers that were located below sea level. Over time, the rocks at the bottom of the ocean came together and began to move upward at 11 centimeters per year. Now, fossils of sea creatures can be found at the top of Everest. They were first discovered in 1924 by guide Noel Odell - thus it was proved that the top of Everest was once under water. The first rock samples from the world's summit were brought back by Swiss climbers in 1956 and by a team from America in 1963.

5. Controversy about height

What is the exact height of Everest? It depends on which country you are on. China has stated that it is equal to 8844 meters, while Nepal claims that it is 8848 meters. This dispute is due to the fact that China believes that the height should be equal only to the height of the rock, excluding meters of frozen snow from the total. Like it or not, it remains a double-edged sword, but the international community still includes snow in the height of the mountain. China and Nepal came to an agreement in 2010, finalizing the official height of 8848 meters.

6. Everest is still growing

According to the latest measurements, both China and Nepal can be wrong about the height. In 1994, a research team found that Everest continues to grow at 4 millimeters a year. The Indian subcontinent was originally an independent landmass that collided with Asia to form the Himalayas. But the continental plates are still moving and the height of the mountains is rising. American researchers in 1999 installed special equipment that allows you to monitor its change. Their more accurate measurements could result in the mountain's official height being changed to 8,850 meters. Meanwhile, other tectonic activity is causing Everest to shrink, but the combined results still keep it growing.

7. Everest has several names

Most of us know the mountain under the names of Everest and Chomolungma. The last name comes from Tibet, which means "Divine (qomo) mother (ma) of life (lung)". But these are not the only names by which the mountain is known. So, in Nepal it is called Sagarmatha (“Forehead in the sky”), and it itself is part of the Nepalese Sagarmatha National Park. The mountain owes the name Everest to the British surveyor Andrew Waugh, who was unable to find a single generally accepted name even after carefully studying all the maps of the surrounding area and communicating with its inhabitants. Andrew decided to name the mountain after the geographer who worked in India, George Everest, the leader of the British team that first explored the Himalayas. Everest himself refused such an honor, but nevertheless, British representatives in 1865 changed the name of the mountain. Previously, it was simply called the 15th peak.

8. Traffic jams from people

Climbing Everest will cost you several thousand dollars, but the number of people who want to conquer the summit is steadily growing. In 2012, German climber Ralf Dujmovitz took a photograph of hundreds of people queuing up to climb. By the way, due to bad weather and a long queue, Ralph had to turn back at one of the passes called the South Col. And on May 19, 2012, those wishing to climb to the top of the mountain were forced to stand in line for about two hours - 234 people climbed Everest in one day. However, on the same day, four people died during the ascent, which caused some concerns about the safety of conquering the summit, and railings were installed by specialists from Nepal to deal with traffic jams. Now the issue of mounting the stairs at the top is being discussed.

There are many photographs showing the beauty of Everest from all possible angles, but there is also a downside: photographs of the huge amount of garbage left behind by climbers. According to some estimates, there are about 50 tons of waste of various origins on Everest, and their number is growing in proportion to the number of visits. On the slopes of the mountain you can see used oxygen tanks, climbing equipment and other waste products of climbers. In addition, the mountain is "decorated" by the bodies of dead climbers - because of the difficulties in transporting them, the victims of an unfortunate set of circumstances remain lying on the slopes. Some of them serve as a guide for other climbers. So, Tsevang Palzhora, who died in 1996, "marks" a height of 8500 meters and even received the nickname "Green Shoes" - for his conspicuous bright green shoes. Since 2008, a special ecological expedition (Eco Everest Expidition) has been climbing the mountain every year, the purpose of which is to combat the pollution of Everest. At the moment, thanks to this expedition, more than 13 tons of waste have been collected. In 2014, the government of Nepal introduced a new rule that every climber must bring at least 8 kilograms of waste with him when descending the mountain - otherwise the $4,000 deposit will be lost. There is also the Everest 8848 creative project: its artists turned 8 tons of waste into 75 works of art, even using the remains of broken tents and beer cans. In this way they are trying to draw attention to the pollution of the mountain.

10. Everest is not the highest mountain on Earth

Despite the fixed title, in fact Everest is not the highest mountain in the world. Mauna Kea, an inactive volcano in Hawaii, rises "only" 4205 meters above sea level, but another 6000 meters of its base are hidden under water. When measured from the ocean floor, its height is 10,203 meters, which is almost one and a half kilometers more than Everest.

Everest is also not the most "convex" point on the planet. The extinct volcano Chimborazo in Ecuador reaches a height of 6267 meters above sea level, but is located just one degree from the equator. Since our planet is slightly thicker in the center, the sea level in Ecuador is located further from the center of the Earth than in Nepal, and it turns out that Chimborazo is the highest point on Earth in terms of stereometry.

Do you love mountains? Then be sure to check it out:

Everest - the highest mountain in the world

Everest (or, as it is called in Nepal, Chomolungma) rises to 8848.43 meters above sea level. Climbing Everest is a real dream for every climber, but, no doubt, also a very dangerous adventure, since a huge number of people died trying to conquer this peak. The highest point on our planet is known today to every schoolchild. But the history of the discovery of Everest and the fate of many brave people who tried to conquer it often remain a mystery to the general public.

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The shocking truth

Resembling in shape a pyramid that has risen many kilometers above sea level due to the movement of lithospheric plates, Everest rises above Asia right on the border of China and Nepal. This peak is rightfully considered one of the most magnificent in beauty, but at the same time, tragic and dangerous places in the world. Its rocky silhouette invariably attracts numerous brave and courageous conquerors who try to reach the summit at the cost of great efforts, and sometimes even at the cost of their own lives. Unfortunately, many climbers have remained forever among the snows and rocky gorges. More than 235 climbers and local residents have died trying to conquer the highest peak on the globe (although the exact number of deaths remains unknown today, because not all of them officially registered their ascent). The difficulty lies not only in the increased atmospheric pressure and rarefied air, which cannot be breathed for a long time, but also in the danger of the route itself. Nevertheless, despite all these difficulties, many people continue to risk their lives in order to spend a few minutes on top of the world. There is something in it that irresistibly attracts brave climbers ...

How much does it cost to climb Everest?

This question is very popular today. Everyone knows that high-altitude expeditions require not only serious physical and tactical training of the participants, but also considerable investments. The average price is about $30,000 if you go by yourself or with your organized and independent group. Travel companies offer their own expeditions, and the price for their services is about $60,000. The price of a VIP level expedition, which includes permanent Internet access and telephone connection, is often higher than $90,000. In general, it all depends on the guide and the quantity and quality of services included in the package. However, when choosing an instructor and a company, it is important to consider not only the price and image of the company. It is always best to study this issue on your own and very carefully. In particular, it will not be out of place to pay attention to whether the package includes the cost of the flight and the services of Sherpas. The fact is that sometimes you have to pay for the participation of local “helpers” on the spot when you are already at the base camp, therefore, in order to avoid unexpected surprises, it is always better to study the details in advance.

Why so expensive?

The government of Nepal levies a mandatory fee on all foreigners who wish to climb Mount Everest. Depending on the size of the group and the time period, the fee can vary from $11,000 to $25,000.

Many readers will probably be indignant: “Where are these prices from??!” But, on the other hand, judge for yourself: even with such fees on the slopes - tens of tons of garbage; when climbing Everest, more than 200 people died ... Imagine what would happen if this fee was not charged - the number of climbers, of course, would increase dramatically, and the peak would begin to look like something terrible.

Another important point is the correct selection of the necessary equipment, which also costs a lot of money. The cost of guides, instructors and sherpas often depends on the size of the group, so prices change from year to year.

Everest Facts

1. Everest, part of the Himalayan mountain chain, is 29,035 feet (8848 meters) high.
2. A sedentary volcano in the Hawaiian Islands, Mauna Kea ranks first in the ranking of the highest mountains in the world, not counting sea level.
3. Everest is more than 60 million years old, it was formed due to pushes of the Indian tectonic plate in the direction of the Asian. Due to seismic activity in the region, Everest is about a quarter inch (0.25") taller every year.
4. The peak is located right on the border line of Nepal to the south and China, also known as Tibet, to the north.
5. Chomolungma (translated from Tibetan) literally means "holy mother of the universe."
6. To keep warm, climbers are encouraged to use oxygen at the summit. As for food, it is good to eat a lot of rice and noodles even before the ascent, since you will need a serious supply of energy for such an expedition. On average, climbers burn over 10,000 calories daily, and this number doubles while climbing to the top; throughout the expedition, its participants lose from 10 to 20 pounds of weight.
7. In the entire history of attempts to conquer the summit, it is officially known that 282 people (including 169 Western climbers and 113 Sherpas) died on Everest from 1924 to August 2015. If we talk about the causes of death, then 102 climbers were injured while trying to climb without the use of additional oxygen. Most of the bodies to this day remain in the snow and gorges, although Chinese officials reported that many bodies were removed. Snowfalls and rockfalls are the most common cause of death, followed by avalanches in second place and altitude sickness in third place.
8. The youngest person ever to reach the summit is an American high school student named Jordan Romero. He made his ascent at the age of 13, on May 23, 2010 (he climbed the peak from the north side).
9. 14 climbers managed to cross from one side of the peak to the other.
10. Wind speeds at the summit can reach 200 miles per hour.
11. On average, it takes about 40 days to complete the ascent. The fact is that the human body needs some time to get used to being at such an altitude above sea level and acclimatize immediately before climbing.
12. Back in 1978, Reinold Messner and Peter Hubler (Italy) were the first climbers who managed to climb the peak of Everest without the use of additional oxygen in cylinders. Later, 193 climbers who followed suit also managed to reach the summit without resorting to additional oxygen (this is 2.7% of all ascents to the peak). There is 66% less oxygen in every breath at the top of Everest than in a breath taken at sea level.
13. To date, there have been about 7,000 ascents of the peak of Everest, more than 4,000 people have participated in all known routes.
14. The oldest climber who managed to conquer the mountain was Miura Yuchiro (Japan), who made the ascent at the age of 80 on May 23, 2013.
15. There are 18 different official climbing routes to the summit of Everest.
16. The first woman to summit Everest was Japanese climber Janko Tabei (1975).
17. In order not to fall off rocks and glaciers, climbers use nylon ropes with a diameter of 10 millimeters. Special metal spikes (“cats”) are put on the soles of the boots to prevent slipping. In addition, ice axes are used, which can stop a possible fall on a rocky and icy surface. In terms of clothing, climbers opt for thick suites that are filled with goose feathers.
18. Sherpas are the collective name for people who live in western Nepal. Initially, several centuries ago, they migrated from Tibet. Today, they help climbers prepare for the ascent by helping carry food, tents, and other supplies to intermediate camps located above the base camp.
19. Climbers begin using oxygen tanks at 7,925 m (26,000 ft). but in this way there is only 915 m (3000 ft) of difference in how they feel. In principle, at an altitude of 8230 m (27,000 ft) a person will feel like at 7315 m (24,000 ft) above sea level, which, in fact, will not make a significant difference in the well-being of climbers.
20. Peak temperatures can drop as low as -62C (80F below zero).

Story

Everest appeared on the earth's surface about 60 million years ago. The mountain has a rather long history of "the first climbers", starting with an unsuccessful attempt, which was made back in 1921 by the British expedition of George Mallory and Guy Bullock. Much later, in 1953, the highest peak of the Earth was nevertheless conquered by a brave bunch of Italian climbers Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay. The history of ascents and new achievements continues to this day. But the highest peak in the world is not only an observation point or a serious challenge for climbers, but also a home for mountaineers, Sherpas, who have lived there for over 500 years. This small nation is the best guides and porters for tourists and professionals who decide to defy fate and climb the highest and most difficult peak of our planet to climb.

Where is Everest located?

Everest is not only the highest mountain, it is also the highest point located on the border of two countries. The mountain is located between the territories of China and Nepal, but its peak is in China, or rather, in the Tibet Autonomous Region. Everest is part of the Himalayas and is only one of the nine peaks of this mountain range. Interestingly, the Himalayas are made up of the thirty-nine highest high peaks in the world, so Everest has many younger "brothers". Together they form a fence between the plateaus of the Tibetan and Indian subcontinental plates.

The entire mountain system is located in South Asia and passes through Pakistan, Bhutan, Tibet, India and Nepal. This was the reason that Everest has several names. In Tibet it is called "Chomolungma", the Chinese version of the name is "Shèngmǔ Fēng". The locals in Darjeeling call it "Deodungha" which translates to "Holy Mountain". For many years it was believed that the highest peak of the world is in the Andes, and only in 1852, a mathematician from India was able to open the world to really the highest mountain.

How did he get his name?

The highest mountain was discovered by George Everest, who served as the Indian General Secretary, in 1841. Since then, the official name that was given to the highest peak of the Earth has come from the name of the discoverer. Prior to that, in different countries the peak was called differently, based on local languages ​​and dialects. But since the highest point of the planet should have a single and understandable name for everyone, the name of the one who officially discovered it became recognized at the international level.

What country is Everest in?

At various points in its history, Everest has been considered part of both China and Nepal. After the annexation in May 1959, relations between Nepal and China became absolutely friendly, and the fact that the border between the countries runs on the peak of the highest mountain in the world is a symbolic confirmation of this. Therefore, theoretically, the peak that is closest to space does not belong to one particular country, but is the common property of Nepal and China. Every tourist who decides to at least look at Everest from the outside, not to mention climbing to the top, can choose at his own discretion which side is more convenient to do it. But it is fair to say that the view from Nepal is much more beautiful, and climbing is an order of magnitude easier.

What is the height of Everest?

Imagine that you live in a world where there is no Mount Everest, it has not yet been discovered, and at school the teacher tells you that the highest mountain is the one called Kanchenjunga, or Dhaulagiri, for example. Even in the 19th century, many were convinced that the highest point on our planet is anything but Everest. Only in 1852 was it confirmed that Everest is the highest point on our planet. The height of the mountain is 8848 meters above sea level and increases by 4 millimeters annually due to plate movement. In addition, earthquakes in Nepal can move Everest and even change its height. So, modern scientists continue to argue that none of the measurements of the height of Everest, either from the Chinese or from the Nepalese side, is correct. Chomolungma continues to grow. The continental plates do not stand still, they are constantly pushing Everest higher and higher.

Curiously, the exact height of the mountain is still a matter of dispute. Back in 1856, when British explorers first measured the height of the peak with a theodolite, it was recorded as 8,840 m (or 22,002 feet). Currently, the official height of Everest is 8.848 m (29.029 ft). To imagine how high Everest is, it is enough to understand that its highest point is located almost at the level of a fighter plane flight. Therefore, it is not at all surprising that the slopes of this mountain are not inhabited by animals and birds due to high pressure and rarefied air. However, Everest is home to one rare species of spider that hides in the crevices of the mountains. This insect feeds on other frozen insects that get to the top with winds and snow masses.

Neighborhood

The Everest massif consists of several individual peaks such as Changse at 7,580m (24,870ft), Nuptse at 7,855m (58,772ft) and Lhotse at 8,516m or 27,940ft. At the time of the discovery of these peaks, it was very difficult to measure the height of a mountain peak with accuracy. At that time, special devices called theodolites were used to measure height, the weight of which was more than 500 kg (1.100 pounds), and the forces of 10-15 people were required to move such a device. Several attempts were made to measure the exact height of Mount Everest, and only in 1949, shortly before the first ascent, was it finally possible to obtain accurate data.

The nearest place where people live is Rongbuk, a Buddhist temple that was founded back in 1902. It was reconstructed not so long ago after complete destruction in the 70s of the last century, during the civil war. Currently, this place becomes the last living quarters on the path of climbers to the top of the world. In Rongbuk, you can stay in a small hotel and even dine in a tiny restaurant.

About height

For almost three hundred years, the highest known point on Earth was Chimborazo, a volcano in the Andes. Its height is "only" 6.267 meters. In the 19th century, this version was destroyed, as the new champion became known to the world - the peak of Nanda Devi in ​​India with a height of 7.816 meters. It may seem ridiculous, but today Nanda Devi only ranks 23rd in the list of the highest mountains in the world. But there is a reason that the listed peaks were indeed the highest points of the world known at that time: after all, Nepal, which is called the roof of the world for a reason, was closed to everyone for a long time.

Everest is officially one of the most polluted mountains in the world. due to the lack of infrastructure and the presence of a constant influx of tourists. Numerous groups leave behind a huge amount of garbage, ranging from simple food bags to oxygen tanks and old equipment, which are stored and accumulated for decades on the slopes of this mountain, considered sacred to local residents.

Scientists are constantly finding the remains of marine life that were fossilized in the structure of rocks 450 million years ago, at a time when the surface of Everest was not yet a peak or mountain, but remained part of the seabed. The Himalayas formed only 60 million years ago. The record holders for visiting the peak of Everest are two Sherpas: Apa Sherpa and Tashi Purba, who managed to climb the peak 21 times, having the opportunity to admire the alpine landscape of the Himalayan mountains from the highest point.

Mortality

Unfortunately, Mount Everest turned out to be a very difficult place to climb and is rightfully considered one of the most dangerous peaks on Earth. The danger lies in record low temperatures and air with a low oxygen content, frequent landslides and avalanches that took many lives of local residents and climbers who decided to overcome this height. The greatest tragedy in the history of Everest occurred in 2014 when a huge avalanche killed 16 local Nepalese guides. It happened near one of the base camps. The second largest was the tragedy of 1996, when 15 climbers did not return from the ascent.

These people died for various reasons, some due to the use of inadequate equipment, others due to lack of oxygen in the tanks or unexpected changes in weather conditions that made it impossible to return to the base camp. The third in terms of the number of victims was the unsuccessful expedition of 2011, when 11 people remained forever in the snows of the Himalayan mountains. All of them are buried in the snow and ice of Everest. Avalanches and rockfalls are the most common causes of death on the slopes of Everest.

Everest base camps

For those who decide to climb Everest, there are, as mentioned earlier, two options - start climbing from China or follow the Nepalese route. In order to get used to atmospheric pressure and acclimatize at altitude, two main base camps are equipped. In any of them, each tourist will be able to spend the necessary amount of time for the body to get used to the new conditions, since acclimatization in this case will help prevent altitude sickness. Both camps have doctors who can advise climbers and assess the health of each before climbing. Staying for some time at the base camp helps to avoid health problems associated with pressure changes.

The southern camp is located on the Nepal side, and the Northern camp is on the Tibetan (Chinese) side of Everest. Even though the northern camp can be reached even by car during the summer days, the camp on the south side is becoming more and more popular. And, of course, all the inhabitants of the surrounding villages, who were previously engaged in agriculture and animal husbandry, are now fully focused on providing visitors with everything they need. They help in transporting things and supplies to the upper intermediate checkpoints, in cooking, and offer various products. In addition to the main intermediate camps on the way to Everest, there are several others located both before and after the main two. They are intermediate stations on the way to conquer the top of the world.

The supply of food and equipment to the southern base camp is carried out by Sherpa porters, since transport links in this region are not possible. Food, medicine and everything needed is delivered with the help of yaks, local beasts of burden.

ascent

If you think that everyone can climb Everest, you just have to really want to, you are very mistaken. Firstly, it is very expensive, about $60,000. Climbing the highest mountain in the world is not just a fun adventure. It is important to understand that this is not an ordinary cozy tourism, but a challenge and the risk of mortal danger. Every year, several tourists die in an attempt to conquer this rocky peak: someone falls into an abyss or a gap between glaciers, someone cannot withstand high temperatures, and someone falls ill with altitude sickness.

Naturally, for such a difficult test, you will need serious preparation and a huge amount of special equipment: shoes, clothes, tools and gadgets. A large group of experts and assistants are also required for the proper organization of the trip and many years of experience in climbing other peaks. But if we talk about the process itself, then it is, of course, unusually exciting. Regardless of which route you choose, it is recommended that you travel with a Sherpa companion. Today, the region is home to approximately 3,000 Sherpas, all of whom are top-notch guides, helpers, and porters, as well as mountain climbers. In short, the Sherpas are a nation of highlanders. If you've seen the famous photograph of the first human ascent of Everest, you'll understand how amazing, indescribable with words, the feeling at the top can be. As Tenzing Norgay admitted, "I wanted to jump, dance, these were the best feelings in my life, because I stood above the whole world."

The most popular season to climb Everest is spring. Autumn expeditions are less popular. By far the most popular way to climb Everest is through a guided expedition. This ensures that there is a professional with the group who knows the most reliable route to the top. In addition, you can rely on his knowledge and experience even in the most unpredictable situations, he is a reliable support and support for the group. The guide will be able to explain to the participants everything they need to know before starting the climb, help to choose the necessary equipment and check the physical condition, as well as the state of health of the participants, in advance.

Plan

The very first step in climbing Everest is to begin proper preparation, including getting serious experience climbing other peaks. These are very important requirements, since such an expedition is quite risky and dangerous and requires certain skills. It starts in one of the base camps (on the southern or northern slope), which is chosen depending on the route and the climbing plan. So, to get to the base camp, located at an altitude of about 5,000 m (16,000 feet) above sea level, participants will need about a week. Here they can talk to experienced guides, check their physical condition and get some rest before climbing Everest. Then, for an additional fee, climbers can resort to the help of Sherpa mountaineers, who will help bring the necessary equipment, food and oxygen cylinders to intermediate camps.

How long does it take to climb Everest?

Of course, climbing to the top of the world does not mean walking along picturesque snow-covered slopes. For less trained climbers and for those who have at least a minimal risk of developing any disease, the acclimatization period at medium altitude (in the base camp at an altitude of 5100 meters above sea level) can in some cases reach 30-40 days. For a whole month you will be surrounded by Sherpas and your companions until your body gets used to the pressure of the atmosphere and the lack of oxygen. Only then can you continue climbing. On average, when it comes to tourist expeditions, the duration of the entire ascent (from the moment you arrive in Kathmandu to being at the highest point on the globe) will be about 60 days. When everything is prepared, it will take about 7 days to climb from the base camp to the summit. After that, approximately 5 more days will be spent on the descent to the base camp.

First person to summit Everest

Although Edmund Hillary was the first person to set foot on the top of the world, many attempts to climb Everest were made long before him. Back in the twenties, a special expedition of the newly created Everest Committee developed the most optimal ascent routes. It is not surprising that the members of this expedition became the first to set foot on the top of the “sacred mountain”, which Everest was for the locals. And yet, two completely different people, Sir Edmund Hillary and Nepalese climber Tenzing Norgay, jointly made the first successful ascent to the summit from the south side and finally managed to find themselves where no man had ever gone before.

In 1953, when this outstanding event finally happened, China closed Everest to any visits, and the world community allowed no more than one expedition per year. In conditions of low temperatures, constantly tormented by strong gusts of wind, Tenzing and Hillary, despite the need to stay in one place for several days in a row, were still able to conquer the highest point on the planet. Edmund Hillary dedicated his achievement to the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain, and it was the best gift in honor of a significant event in the UK. Although Hillary and Tenzing spent only 15 minutes on the mountaintop, those 15 minutes today are comparable only to the first steps on the moon.

The youngest person to ever reach the summit is an American eighth grader from California. He was only 13 years old on the day of the ascent. A resident of Nepal, a 15-year-old girl named Min Kipa Shira, became the second in the ranking of the youngest climbers who managed to conquer Everest. Her ascent was crowned with success in 2003. The oldest man to summit Everest was 80-year-old Miura Yuchiro from Japan, and the oldest woman was Tamae Watanabe from Japan, who climbed at the age of 73.

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Mount Everest, also known as Chomolungma, is the highest mountain peak, its height is 8,848 meters. It is partly part of the Sagarmatha National Park in Nepal.

Where is Mount Everest

Everest is part of the Himalayan mountain range. Its southern peak runs along the border between China and Nepal, and the northern part adjoins the territory of the People's Republic of China.

Name

"Chomolungma" is a Tibetan word meaning "Divine Mother of Life Energy". The mountain was named after the goddess Sherab Chzhamma, who personified maternal energy.

The mountain also has another Tibetan name - Chomogangkar, which means "Holy Mother, white as snow."

The mountain got its English name "Everest" in honor of George Everest, the head of the geodetic service.

Description

In its shape, Mount Everest resembles a trihedral pyramid with a steeper southern slope. Due to its steepness, it never has long-term deposits of recrystallized snow, called firn.

With the fourth highest eight-thousander of the planet, Mount Lhotse, Chomolungma is connected in the south by the South Col Pass. The North Col, a completely ice-covered pass with very steep slopes, connects Everest to Mount Changze ("North Peak"). In the east, Chomolungma ends with the Kangshung wall, the upper part of which is covered with glaciers.

mountain height

Chomolungma was called the highest peak in the world in 1852. This was stated by the Bengali topographer and mathematician Radhanat Sikdar on the basis of the trigonometric calculations made.

However, the first height measurement was taken by the British India Survey four years later. In their calculations, scientists were mistaken by eight meters and announced that the height of Chomolungma is 29,002 feet, or 8,840 m.

Their mistake was corrected only after almost a hundred years, in 1950. Then, with the help of theodolites (measuring instruments for determining horizontal and vertical angles), Indian topographers established the correct height of the mountain peak, which is 8,840 m above sea level.

In 2010, the officially recorded height of the mountain was 8,848 m.

But the attempts to determine a more accurate height did not end there. The height of the Chomolungma was measured by the American expedition, the Italian geologist Ardito Desio. However, the results of their studies were not recognized as reliable.

Facts about Chomolungma

1. Mount Everest is over sixty million years old. It owes its appearance to the Indian tectonic plate, which, moving steadily, collided with the Asian plate.
2. The cost of climbing the mountain is not cheap at all. Those wishing to climb to the top will not only have to shell out 85 thousand dollars, but also obtain official permission issued by the Nepalese government. It, by the way, is also not free and costs ten thousand dollars.
3. Did you know that many hours of traffic jams happen not only on the roads, but also when climbing to the top? Often they are accompanied by fights between climbers.
4. The strongest winds blow at the top of Everest. Their speed sometimes reaches 200 km/h. The situation is exacerbated by low temperatures. The average monthly air temperature in January drops to -36 °C (sometimes it drops to -60 °C).
5. Forty days is the average time it takes to climb up.
6. Periodically, when climbing Everest, Sherpas (descendants of Tibetans who emigrated to the south of the Himalayas) help climbers carry supplies and things.
7. Tourists cause serious damage to the environment of Chomolungma - they destroy trees and use them for heating, leave a lot of garbage after visiting. In this regard, it was decided that every climber who climbed to the top must take out at least eight kg of garbage from Everest.
8. Due to global warming, the glaciers of Everest have decreased by thirty percent, which in the future may adversely affect the water level in the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers.
9. The only living creatures that can live at an altitude of 6,700 m above sea level are the Himalayan jumping spiders. They then chose the slopes of Everest.
10. For a long time, Chomolungma was an inaccessible place for white people. The reason for this was the prohibition of the governments of Nepal and Tibet, imposed on visiting the mountain by foreigners.

Who conquered Mount Everest

The first ascent to the summit took place in 1953. All fifty attempts so far have failed.

English climbers George Finch and Jeffrey Bruce were the first climbers to use oxygen, which allowed them to climb to a height of 8,320 meters.

Two years later, an expedition consisting of George Mallory and Andrew Irwin went to Everest. Until now, disputes have not subsided about whether the climbers have reached the summit. The last time, before they went missing, the men were seen 150 meters from the summit.

Among the climbers there were those who did not differ in common sense. So, the Englishman Maurice Wilson went to conquer the mountain without special mountaineering training, completely relying on the help of supernatural forces. The man never made it to the top.

Until 1948, the part of the mountain adjacent to Nepal was inaccessible for climbing. For this reason, the Europeans stormed only the northern part of the Chomolungma. The very first attempt to reach the summit from Nepal took place in 1949.

But still, the first to conquer Everest were Tenzing Norgay (Sherpa) and Edmund Hillary from New Zealand.

After this ascent, climbers from the USA, China, the USSR, India, Italy, Japan and other countries climbed to the top.

Junko Tabei was the first woman to reach the summit of Everest. And the first European was the Polish Wanda Rutkevich, among the Soviet women - Ekaterina Ivanova.

After that, Everest was stormed at different times of the year, with and without oxygen devices, alone and as part of expeditions, overcoming the most difficult routes and bypassing them.

To date, seven thousand ascents to the peak of the mountain have been made. Miuro Yuchiro, 80, was the oldest climber to reach the top. And the youngest is an American thirteen-year-old student Jordan Romero.

Everest - mountain of death

But, unfortunately, not all attempts to conquer the summit are successful.

Statistics say that from 1953 to the present day, more than 260 people have died while climbing the mountain. Moreover, no expensive and high-quality equipment can serve as a guarantor of a successful outcome.

History knows many cases of mass death of climbers. In May 1996, eight climbers froze to death on the South Slope due to a snowstorm. In 2014, an avalanche caused the death of thirteen people, three were missing.

Because of the bodies of the dead, which rest on the slopes of the mountain, many began to compare Everest with a cemetery. In some areas, climbers even have to step over the dead. So, for example, the corpse of a climber who died in 1996 serves as a kind of mark of 8,500 m. The bodies remain uncollected due to difficulties in their evacuation.

How to get there

To climb Everest, you must first get to the capital of Nepal - Kathmandu. To visit the national park, you need to get a permit. It will take you about one day to receive the documents.

You can get to Everest by plane from Tenzing-Hillary Airport, located in the village of Lukla. The plane can accommodate fifteen passengers and makes flights every half an hour.

The best way to get to Lukla from Kathmandu is also by plane, because you can only get to the village of Salleri on mountain roads, and then only on foot.

There are several routes leading to the slopes of Everest. For starters, it is better to stop on the classic routes around Annapurna, to the Everest base camp or on the tracks in the Langtang area.

To look at Everest, you can use the trekking (travel on foot) offered by various travel clubs and travel agencies.

Mount Everest video

Chomolungma(Tibetan name) or Everest(English) or Sagarmatha(Nepalese) - the highest mountain in the world (8848 m), located in the Mahalangur Himal range in the Himalayas, on the border of Nepal and China (Tibet Autonomous Region), but the peak itself lies on the territory of China.

Everest has the shape of a trihedral pyramid, the southern slope is steeper. Glaciers flow from the massif in all directions, ending at an altitude of about 5 km.

Chomolungma is partly part of the Nepalese Sagarmatha National Park.

Climate

At the top of the Chomolungma, there are strong winds blowing at speeds up to 200 km / h.

The air temperature at night drops to -60°

Etymology

Translated from Tibetan, "Chomolungma" means "Divine (qomo) Mother (ma) of life (lung - wind or life force)", named after the Bon goddess Sherab Chzhamma.

In Nepalese, the name of the peak "Sagarmatha" means "Mother of the Gods".

The English name "Everest" (Mount Everest) was given in honor of Sir George Everest, head of the Survey of British India in 1830-1843. This name was proposed in 1856 by George Everest's successor Andrew Waugh, at the same time as the publication of the results of his collaborator Radhanath Sikdar, who in 1852 first measured the height of "Peak XV" and showed that it is the highest in the whole world.

Climbing stories

The first ascent of Chomolungma was made on May 29, 1953 by Sherpa Tenzing Norgay and New Zealander Edmund Hillary through the South Col. The climbers used oxygen devices.

In subsequent years, climbers from different countries of the world joined the conquest of the mountain - China, the USA, India, Japan, Italy.

In the spring of 1975, Everest was first stormed by a women's expedition. The first woman to conquer Chomolungma was the Japanese climber Junko Tabei (1976). The first Polish woman and the first European to reach the summit was Wanda Rutkiewicz (1978). The first Russian woman to reach the summit was Ekaterina Ivanova (1990).

In May 1982, 11 members of the Soviet expedition of climbers conquered Everest, climbing the southwestern slope that was previously considered impassable, and 2 ascents were made at night. Prior to this, none of the climbers who were part of the expedition had climbed above 7.6 km.

In subsequent years, climbers from Great Britain, Nepal, the USA, South Korea, Austria and other countries again climb Everest along the classical path of pioneers.

As a rule, all climbers climb Everest in oxygen masks. At an altitude of 8 km, the air is rarefied, and it is very difficult to breathe. The first to reach the summit without oxygen were the Italian Reinhold Messner and the German Peter Habeler in 1978.

Flying over the top

In 2001, a French couple, Bertrand and Claire Bernier, flew down from the summit in a tandem glider.

In May 2004, the Italian Angelo D'Arrigo for the first time in the history of aeronautics made a hang glider flight over the top of the highest mountain in the world.

On May 14, 2005, test pilot Didier Delsalle successfully landed a Eurocopter AS 350 Ecureuil helicopter on top of the mountain. It was the first such landing.

In 2008, 3 skydivers landed on the summit by jumping from an airplane flying at an altitude of just under 9 km (142 m above the highest point of the mountain).

Ski slopes

The first attempt to descend from the summit through alpine skiing was made in 1969 by the Japanese Miura. It didn't end the way he planned; Miura almost fell into the abyss, but miraculously managed to escape and survived.

In 1992, a French skier, Pierre Tardevel, skied down the slope of Everest. He left the southern peak, located at an altitude of 8571 m, and covered 3 km in 3 hours.

After 4 years, the Italian skier Hans Kammerlander descended from a height of 6400 m along the northern slope.

In 1998, the Frenchman Cyril Desremo made the first descent from the summit on a snowboard.

In 2000, Slovenian Davo Karnicar left Chomolungma on skis.

Climbing now

From the moment of the first ascent to the summit (1953) to the present (2011), more than 200 people have died on its slopes. The bodies of the dead often remain on the slopes of the mountain due to the difficulties associated with their evacuation. Some of them serve as a guide for climbers. The most common causes of death: lack of oxygen, heart failure, frostbite, avalanches.

Even the most expensive and modern equipment does not always guarantee a successful ascent to the highest peak in the world. However, every year about 500 people try to conquer Chomolungma. In total, by the end of 2010, approximately 3,150 climbers had climbed the mountain.

Climbing to the top takes about 2 months - with acclimatization and setting up camps. Weight loss after climbing - an average of 10-15 kg. The main climbing season is spring and autumn, as there are no monsoons at this time. The most suitable season for climbing the southern and northern slopes is spring. In autumn you can climb only from the south.

At present, a significant part of ascents is organized by specialized firms and performed as part of commercial groups. The clients of these firms pay for the services of guides who provide the necessary training, equipment and, as far as possible, ensure safety along the way.

The cost of an all-inclusive climb (equipment, transport, guides, porters, etc.) averages between $40,000 and $80,000, with the Nepalese government-issued climbing permit alone costing between $10,000 and $25,000 per person. (depending on group size). The cheapest way to conquer Chomolungma is from Tibet.

A significant proportion of travelers reaching the summit are now wealthy tourists with minimal mountaineering experience.

According to experts, the success of the expedition directly depends on the weather and the equipment of the travelers. Climbing the highest peak in the world continues to be a serious challenge for everyone, regardless of their level of preparation.

An essential role is played by acclimatization before climbing Everest. A typical expedition from the south side takes up to two weeks to climb from Kathmandu to the base camp at an altitude of 5364 m, and takes about a month to acclimatize to the height before the first attempt is made to the summit.

The hardest part of climbing Everest is the last 300m, nicknamed by mountain climbers "the longest mile on Earth". To successfully pass this section, you need to overcome the steepest smooth stone slope covered with powdered snow.

Ecology

The number of tourists visiting the mountain (not the summit) from Nepal and Tibet over the past ten years has been in the hundreds of thousands. The volume of garbage accumulated on the slopes of the mountain is so great that Everest is called "the highest mountain dump in the world."

According to ecologists, after tourists there is an average of 3 kg of garbage for each.