Amazing Facts About Mount Everest You Never Know
Mount Everest, the crown of Nepal and the world’s highest peak, holds secrets and stories that many of us have never heard. In this blog, we’ll dive into some amazing, funny, and even scary Mount Everest facts.
We’ll explore everything from Mount Everest’s interesting facts to its rich history. This is perfect for curious students, enthusiastic hikers, or anyone who loves cool nature facts. Let’s begin this exciting journey and discover the wonders of this magnificent mountain, right from the heart of Nepal! Prepare to be amazed by these facts about Mount Everest!
1. The Story Behind the Name ‘Everest’
Ever wonder how Mount Everest got its name? Originally called ‘Sagarmatha’ in Nepali and ‘Chomolungma’ in Tibetan, meaning “ Peak of heaven “ and “Goddess Mother of the World,” it was later named after a British surveyor, Sir George Everest.
Interestingly, Sir George never actually saw the mountain himself! His successor, Andrew Waugh, named it during the Great Trigonometrical Survey of India due to the absence of a widely accepted local name. It’s like having a distant star named after you that you’ve never seen. This naming story adds a quirky twist to the legendary status of Everest.
2. Did You Know Everest is Not the Tallest?
While Mount Everest boasts the highest peak above sea level at 8,848.86 meters, it’s not the tallest from base to summit. That title goes to Mauna Kea in Hawaii, which measures over 10,000 meters from its underwater base. It’s akin to an iceberg, where the majority is hidden beneath the surface. This fact adds a layer of mystery to our understanding of ‘tallest mountains’, redefining what it means to be the ‘highest’ point.
3. Everest Grows Just Like You!
Did you know that Mount Everest is still growing? Each year, Everest gets taller by about 44 millimeters due to tectonic plate movement. This growth rate is akin to how human hair or nails grow over time, a slow but steady natural process.
This fascinating phenomenon of Everest’s growth reflects the dynamic and ever-changing nature of our planet’s geology, reminding us that even the mightiest mountains are not static.
4. Everest as High as 20 Eiffel Towers!
Imagine stacking almost 20 Eiffel Towers one on top of the other. That’s how tall Mount Everest is! Its height, now officially 8,848.86 meters, makes it a giant among mountains. This comparison shows just how massive Everest is.
5. Everest: Older than You Think
Mount Everest is around 60 million years old, making it older than any human civilization. This ancient formation began when dinosaurs were becoming extinct. Imagine a world with these giant creatures roaming around, and Everest slowly starting to rise from the Earth’s crust. This immense age of Everest connects us to the deep, ancient past of our planet, showing the long, natural history of Earth’s evolution.
6. The Mystery Before Hillary and Norgay
Most people know that Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay were the first confirmed climbers to summit Mt. Everest. But did you know about the mystery of George Mallory and Andrew Irvine? They might have reached the summit in 1924, 30 years before Hillary and Norgay. Their disappearance near the summit is one of the biggest mountaineering mysteries.
7. Sherpa Guides: Everest’s Lifeline
Sherpas are the ultimate guides on the Everest adventure. These local experts from Nepal are like the mountain’s best friends. They lead climbers through the challenging paths, set up camps, and ensure everyone’s safe. But they do more – they carry heavy loads, making the impossible possible.
Sherpas are the true heroes who make Everest’s dreams come true. Without them, climbing this giant would be much tougher. They are the mountain’s lifeline, always there to help you conquer the top.
8. Climbing Everest: More Costly Than You Think
Climbing Everest is an expensive adventure. The costs include permits, gear, and guides. It’s not just about money; climbers also invest a lot of emotions and physical strength in preparing for this once-in-a-lifetime journey.
9. Kami Rita Sherpa: Who summited Everest most times
Kami Rita Sherpa is a Sherpa guide with a record of 27 ascents to the summit of Everest is like an athlete winning numerous Olympic gold medals. His achievements highlight the extraordinary endurance, skill, and determination required to repeatedly conquer one of the most challenging and dangerous endeavors on Earth.
10. Everest Trek: Longer than Your Summer Vacation
An expedition to the summit of Everest typically takes about 39-40 days. This duration is longer than most people’s summer vacations. Climbers spend this time acclimatizing to the high altitude, similar to a long-distance runner training for a marathon. This extended period is crucial for adapting to the extreme conditions and ensuring the best chance of reaching the summit safely.
Mount Everest Facts Quiz
11. Everest Speed Record: Faster than a Full-Day Work
The fastest time from base camp to the summit and back down on Mount Everest was achieved by Lhakpa Gelu Sherpa in May 2003. His remarkable feat took place during the “Everest Speed Climb” organized by the Eco Everest Expedition. Lhakpa Gelu Sherpa completed the round trip in 10 hours and 56 minutes.
He summited the ascent of Everest in just under 11 hours, a feat similar to running multiple marathons back-to-back at high altitudes and under extreme conditions. This incredible achievement demonstrates the pinnacle of human physical and mental endurance, pushing the boundaries of what is thought to be humanly possible.
12. Two Heights of Everest
Everest’s height can be measured in two ways: the rock height and the snow height. The snow height adds a few extra meters, similar to wearing a tall hat. This variation is important for geologists and climbers as it reflects the natural changes that occur on the mountain. It’s akin to measuring someone’s height with and without shoes, giving a slightly different perspective.
First, there’s the “snow height” at 8,848.86 meters, which includes the snow and ice covering the mountain’s surface. Both China and Nepal recognized this height officially.
Then, there’s the “rock height” at 8,844.43 meters, representing the mountain’s geological height without any snow or ice. China initially measured this, and Nepal later confirmed it.
13. Death Zone Dangers: More Extreme than Space
The area above 8,000 meters on Everest, known as the Death Zone of Mount Everest, presents conditions so harsh they’re comparable to outer space. The thin air at this altitude means oxygen levels are extremely low, making every breath and step a monumental challenge so it’s called a death zone. Climbers here are on the edge of human survival limits.
In this zone, the body starts to deteriorate, unable to repair itself due to the lack of oxygen. Just like astronauts in space, climbers in the Death Zone rely on life-support equipment. However, unlike space, there’s no quick escape back to safety. Every hour spent in this zone is a race against time, testing the limits of human endurance and resilience in one of the most extreme environments on Earth.
14. Everest’s Weather: Colder than the Coldest Winter
- The weather on Everest is more extreme than the harshest winters most people will ever experience. With temperatures dropping below -60°C and winds exceeding 200 km/h, it’s like being in the middle of a frozen hurricane. This extreme weather makes Everest not just a mountain but a battle against the very elements.
- Lifeless Summit: A Desert Above the Clouds
- Imagine reaching the very top of Mount Everest, the highest point on Earth. But when you get there, you find a place so extreme and challenging that it’s completely devoid of life. It’s like arriving in a desert above the clouds.
- The peak of Everest is so high and harsh that no living creature can survive there. The air is thin, making it nearly impossible to breathe. In that lifeless summit zone, there’s no vegetation, no animals, and certainly no humans.
- It’s a place where nature’s limits are pushed to the extreme, reminding us of the incredible challenges that climbers face. It’s like stepping into another world, one that’s beyond the reach of life as we know it.
14. Mount Everest’s Death Record: The Lost Climbers
Over 310 climbers have tragically lost their lives attempting to conquer Everest. The mountain serves as a solemn memorial to these adventurers, with some bodies still resting on its slopes. Their stories are a poignant reminder of Everest’s respect-demanding power and the human spirit’s courage and ambition.
15. Average Death Rate: 1% on Everest
Climbing Everest carries about a 1% chance of not surviving the ascent. This risk is akin to playing a dangerous lottery where the stakes are life and death. It highlights the extreme danger and unpredictability of high-altitude climbing, where even the most experienced climbers are not immune to the mountain’s perils.
16. Everest: Not the Farthest from Earth’s Center
Despite its towering height, Everest is not the farthest point from Earth’s center; that distinction belongs to Mount Chimborazo in Ecuador due to the equatorial bulge. This fact challenges our perception of ‘highest’ and ‘farthest,’ offering a unique perspective on how we measure and understand our planet’s geography.
17. Everest’s Popularity: More Visited than Some Cities
Did you know more than 9,000 climbers have reached the top of Everest? That’s even more people than in some small towns! Everest is super popular because so many people want to climb this huge mountain. It’s like everyone wants to be part of its story. Every climber who goes up Everest adds to its big adventure story, full of exciting wins and sometimes sad moments. This is why Everest is so famous and why so many keep visiting it!
18. Everest Expedition Records
Everest is not just a big mountain; it’s where people make new records every year. Climbers from all over the world come to try something new or to be the fastest or youngest to reach the top. But making these records isn’t easy. It takes a lot of hard work, bravery, and sometimes big sacrifices. Climbers face cold weather and tough paths and must be very strong in both body and mind. Each year, as new records are set, they show us what people can do when they try, even when it’s very hard.
| Record Type | Name of Person(s) |
| First to reach the top (1953) | Edmund Hillary, Tenzing Norgay |
| Quickest climb | Lakpa Gelu Sherpa |
| Youngest climber to the top | Jordan Romero |
| Oldest climber to the top | Yuichiro Miura |
| The first woman to reach the top | Junko Tabei |
| Most climbs by a woman | Lhakpa Sherpa |
| First climb without extra oxygen | Reinhold Messner, Peter Habeler |
| First climb in winter | Leszek Cichy, Krzysztof Wielicki |
| First climb by someone with a disability | Tom Whittaker |
19. Everest: The Freezing Grave and Green Boots Cave
Everest isn’t just a mountain; it’s also a place where some climbers couldn’t make it and backrested forever. It’s known as a ‘freezing grave’ because of the many climbers who lost their lives there. Their bodies often stay on the mountain, not decomposing because it’s so cold. The freezing temperatures preserve them, almost like they are frozen in time.
One of the most known places in Everest is ‘Green Boots Cave,’ a nickname given to the remains of Tsewang Paljor, an Indian climber who lost his life in 1996. His bright green boots mark his final resting spot. This place reminds everyone climbing Everest of the risks and the importance of respecting the mountain.
20. Base Camp of Everest: The Gateway to the Roof of the World
The Base Camp of Mount Everest is more than just a starting point; it’s a buzzing hub that brings together climbers from all corners of the globe. Nestled at a staggering height, this camp itself is an achievement to reach. Here are some facts about the Everest Base Camp :
Elevation: Everest Base Camp is the base camp with the highest elevation. There are two main base camps. The South Base Camp in Nepal sits at about 5,364 meters (17,598 feet), while the North Base Camp in Tibet is at approximately 5,150 meters (16,900 feet).
Accessibility: The South Base Camp is reached via a trek that usually takes about two weeks, offering stunning views and a real taste of high-altitude trekking. The North Base Camp can be accessed by vehicle, but a special permit is required.
Temporary Home: During the main climbing seasons in spring and autumn, these camps turn into small tented towns, complete with dining tents, sleeping areas, and even internet services in some cases.
