The highest mountain on Earth above sea level, Mount Everest, known in Nepal as Sagarmatha, It's a peak many dream of climbing, but only a few accomplish this feat in their lifetime. Those who have succeeded in conquering the summit are rewarded with a sense of pride and breathtaking views. In 2013, two Nepalese climbed Everest, then returned by paraglider, and then kayaked 800 kilometers across the Indian Ocean!
Few people know that the man the mountain is named after, Sir George Everest, pronounced his last name "Eve-rest" rather than "Ever-est." Did you know that Nepal has promoted Everest as a destination for same-sex weddings? This mountain has always evoked awe and fear and continues to challenge even the most resilient climbers.
There are amazing, little-known facts about Mount Everest. Here's a list of incredible Everest facts that will blow your mind.
1. In addition to the dangers of avalanches and storms, wind speeds pose a serious obstacle for climbers. At the summit of Everest, they can reach 175 mph. A Category 5 hurricane has winds of 157 mph.
Mount Everest rises into the stratosphere, so climbers face extremely strong winds. The average wind speed on the mountain is 100 mph. Winds can reach as high as 175 mph, as they did on February 6, 2004. This is slightly stronger than a Category 5 hurricane, like Hurricane Katrina in the US. Imagine what that would do to anyone attempting to reach the summit!
This is why most people climb the mountain in May or September. This occurs at the beginning and end of the Asian monsoon season, which provides a 10-15-day period. Only at this time does the wind significantly die down, mitigating one of the many dangers a climber faces. The ascent plan is carried out only when the wind speed at the summit is around 35 mph. The average atmospheric pressure at the summit is 346 mb. (1, 2)
2. The average Everest climber burns up to 10,000 calories a day, and on summit day this number will increase to approximately 20,000 calories.
Another extreme that climbers face when attempting to conquer Everest is the enormous amount of calories they burn. On average, they burn between 6,000 and 10,000 calories per day, and on summit day, that number reaches 20,000. The higher a climber ascends, the less appetite they have. In the so-called "death zone," the body deteriorates much faster, and it is impossible to replenish the burned calories through food.
«The "Death Zone" is a high-altitude zone located above 26,000 feet, where oxygen levels are insufficient for the human body. Performing even the most basic tasks requires more than twice the energy required, resulting in intense calorie burning and exhaustion.
At base camp, a cook ensures meals are provided, ensuring everyone gets the necessary nutrients. Climbers are encouraged to eat as much as possible to get more calories, as they won't be able to eat as much later. After base camp, there are camps without cooks, so those who reach them must prepare their own meals.
Cooking at Camp 4, located at 26,000 feet, is a challenge in itself. Even heating a pot of water and summoning the energy to do any work is exhausting. At this point, people spend most of their time eating snacks. (source)
3. As of 2017, approximately 290 people have died attempting to reach the summit of Everest. The bodies of more than 200 remain on the mountain, and their vibrant clothing and equipment have given part of the mountain the nickname "Rainbow Valley.".
Most people who died attempting to conquer Everest died in the "death zone." The exact number of bodies remaining on the mountain is unknown. However, climbers often use the frozen bodies of climbers and Sherpas as landmarks. The bright colors of the equipment and clothing of the dead climbers stand out against the white snow, leading this part of the mountain to be nicknamed "Rainbow Valley.".
The remains of Tsewang Paljor, an Indian climber who died during a snowstorm in 1996, are the subject of much discussion. On the day of his death, Paljor was wearing neon green boots, earning him the nickname "Green Boots." Many climbers have to pass by his frozen, dead body, which has lain on the mountain for 22 years.
A climber cannot bring another person's body back because the descent is as dangerous as climbing Everest. This is why the bodies of approximately 290 people have remained on the mountain for decades. (source)
4. The temperature on Mount Everest never rises above freezing even in summer and can drop to -76°F in winter.
Temperatures on Mount Everest are always below freezing year-round. Average temperatures range from -4°F to -31°F, but can drop as low as -76°F. It's warmer from late May to the third week of October, as light, often hurricane-force winds blow during this time.
In 2008, a weather station was built at an elevation of 26,246 feet. This solar-powered weather station is located on the South Pass. Cold temperatures are usually a bad sign, but for those using the Southeast Ridge route (the most popular), freezing temperatures mean clumped ice floes, significantly reducing the risk. This region is known for dangerous shifting ice floes that can cause fatal injuries or hurl climbers into the abyss. In the "Death Zone," temperatures are so low that any part of the human body exposed to the air will result in frostbite. (1, 2)
5. Everest's altitude of 29,029 feet is only slightly lower than the approximate cruising altitude of an airplane of 33,000 feet.
Everest's current elevation of 29,029 feet (8,848 meters) was established by an Indian survey in 1955 and confirmed by a Chinese survey in 1975. This height is recognized by both China and Nepal. Altitude sickness is a serious problem at the mountain's summit.
The typical cruising altitude of an airplane is around 33,000–35,000 feet. Light aircraft fly only at 10,000 feet, which is less than half the altitude of Everest. Commercial aircraft fly at this altitude because the air is thinner, reducing drag and improving fuel efficiency. The difference between the summit of Everest and the cruising altitude of an airplane is only about 3,000 feet. (1, 2)