Mount Everest: The Tallest Mountain in the World

Mount Everest, located in the Mahalangur Himal sub-range of the Himalayas, is the tallest mountain on Earth, standing at a whopping 8,848 metres (29,029 ft) in height. Though its summit is not the furthest point from the centre of the Earth – that accolade goes to Mount Chimborazo in Ecuador – it is still an astonishing sight.

Everest has been attracting climbers since early times; with the first recorded attempt made by British mountaineer George Mallory in 1924 (he sadly perished during his descent). But it wasn’t until 1953 that the peak was finally conquered, by New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Nepali Tenzing Norgay. Since then, around 5,000 people have reached the summit.

Not everyone is content with simply reaching the top, however. In May 1978, Italian mountaineer Reinhold Messner became the first person to climb Everest without the use of supplementary oxygen – a feat he repeated in 1980. And in 2013, American climber Melissa Arnot became the first woman to achieve the same feat.

The Death Zone:

• Climbing Everest is no mean feat at the best of times, but it becomes truly treacherous once you reach what is known as the “death zone”. This is an area above 8,000 metres (26,247 ft) where the air pressure is so low that human beings can no longer survive without supplementary oxygen.
• The lack of oxygen takes its toll on the body in a number of ways. It leads to lactic acid build-up in the muscles, causing them to cramp and weaken. It also affects thought processes, leading to confusion and disorientation. In the most extreme cases, it can cause swelling of the brain or lungs, which can be fatal.
• To make matters worse, the death zone is also plagued by strong winds and sub-zero temperatures. So it’s no wonder that so many climbers have perished in their attempts to summit Everest.

Avalanches:

• Another major hazard faced by climbers is avalanches. These are notoriously difficult to predict, and have claimed the lives of many mountaineers over the years.
• In 2015, an avalanche struck the Khumbu Icefall – a notoriously dangerous section of the Everest route – killing at least 19 people and injuring many more. It was the deadliest disaster in the history of Everest climbing.
• Avalanches can be triggered by a number of things, including changes in the weather, melting ice and seismic activity. But whatever the cause, they are always devastating.

Climbing Everest:

• Despite the dangers, many people are still drawn to Everest each year. If you’re thinking of giving it a go, there are a few things you should know first.
• For starters, you’ll need to be in good physical shape. Climbing Everest is gruelling work, and requires a lot of stamina and strength.
• You’ll also need to be prepared for the altitude. It can take days or even weeks to acclimatise to the thin air, and you may experience symptoms like headache, nausea and fatigue.
• And of course, you’ll need to have deep pockets. A typical Everest expedition can cost upwards of $50,000 – not including the cost of equipment and supplies.
• So there you have it: everything you need to know about Mount Everest – the tallest mountain in the world. Whether you’re keen to tackle it yourself, or just want to marvel at its majesty from afar, this is one peak that is sure to take your breath away.

Conclusion:

Did you know that Mount Everest is the tallest mountain on Earth? Standing at a whopping 8,848 metres (29,029 ft), it’s an astonishing sight. Thousands of people have attempted to climb Everest over the years, and while many have been successful, some have not been so lucky. Avalanches, strong winds and sub-zero temperatures make climbing Everest a treacherous feat. If you’re thinking of giving it a go, there are a few things you should know first. So there you have it: everything you need to know about Mount Everest – the tallest mountain in the world. Whether you’re keen to tackle it yourself or just want to marvel at its majesty from afar, this is one peak that is sure to take your breath away.