Summary of Mt. Everest Facts
Think you know everything there is to know about the world’s tallest peak? Think again! We have seven little-known facts about Mt. Everest that are sure to give you a new perspective on this iconic mountain, which remains an alluring destination for adventure travelers, trekkers, and climbers even in the 21st century.
Just How Tall is Everest?
Back in 1955, a team of Indian surveyors visited Everest to take an official measurement of the mountain’s height. Using the best equipment of the day, they determined that it stood 29,029 feet (8848 meters) above sea level, which remains the official altitude recognized by both the Nepali and Chinese governments to this day.
However, in 1999, a National Geographic Team placed a GPS device on the summit and recorded the altitude as 29,035 feet (8849 meters). In 2005, a Chinese team utilized even more precise instruments to measure the mountain, determining the height of the rock alone to be 29,017 feet (8844 meters). Consequently, the official height remains 29,029 feet, but plans are afoot to measure the mountain again, particularly since it is believed that the height may have changed following the 2015 earthquake. Perhaps we’ll finally get a consensus of the true height at long last.
The Mystery of Mallory’s Camera
The first successful summit of Everest was recorded by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay on May 29, 1953. However, there are some who believe that it was actually climbed much earlier. Back in 1924, explorer George Mallory, along with his climbing partner Andrew Irvine, were part of an expedition attempting the first ascent. The duo was last seen on June 8 of that year just below the summit, making steady progress upward, but they mysteriously disappeared.
In 1999, climbers discovered Mallory’s remains high on Everest. The body did little to reveal whether he reached the top, and unfortunately, the team’s camera wasn’t found. It is believed that Irvine was carrying the camera during their ascent, which could hold photographic evidence of their success or failure. To date, Irvine’s body and the camera have not been found, but if discovered, it could potentially change mountaineering history forever.
Who Has Climbed Everest the Most?
Climbing Everest is no small feat, and reaching the top remains a tremendous accomplishment. However, some climbers feel that one time is not enough. Kami Rita Sherpa holds the record for most successful summits of Everest, having reached the summit 22 times. Moreover, mountain guide Lhakpa Sherpa holds the record for the most summits by a woman with nine successful climbs.
The record for most summits by a non-Sherpa is held by American Dave Hahn, a guide for RMI Expeditions, who has reached the top 15 times, showcasing impressive dedication and skill in high-altitude climbing.
Fastest Ascents
For most climbers, reaching the summit takes several days, often requiring stops at various campsites to rest and recover. However, a few talented alpinists manage to ascend from Base Camp to the summit at astonishing speeds. For instance, the fastest recorded ascent from the South Side in Nepal is held by Lakpa Gelu Sherpa, who completed the trek in just 10 hours and 56 minutes in 2003. He also made the round trip back to Base Camp in an impressive 18 hours and 20 minutes.
On the North Side in Tibet, the record is 16 hours and 45 minutes, set by Italian mountaineer Hans Kammerlander back in 1996. These feats highlight the incredible capabilities of elite climbers on the challenging ascent of Everest.
The Puja Ceremony: Seeking Permission From the Mountain Gods
In the Buddhist culture of the Himalaya, Everest is known as Chomolungma, or “Goddess Mother of Mountains.” This perspective casts the peak as sacred, requiring all mountaineers to ask for permission and safe passage before they begin their climb. This request is made through a puja ceremony, traditionally held at Base Camp prior to any ascent.
During the puja, a Buddhist Lama and monks construct an altar out of stones and offer prayers for good fortune and protection. They also bless the climbing equipment, such as ice axes and harnesses. For the Sherpa people, this ceremony is crucial and typically required before starting their expedition. Is this superstition? Possibly, but it is also a respected tradition that dates back hundreds of years, and many foreign climbers are honored to participate in this meaningful ritual.
Oldest and Youngest Climbers
Age is just a number in the world of climbing Everest. While many climbers are in their 30s and 40s, the records tell a different story. The oldest individual to summit Everest is Yuichiro Miura from Japan, who was 80 years and 224 days old at the time in 2013. On the other end of the spectrum, American Jordan Romero became the youngest climber to reach the summit at just 13 years, 10 months, and 10 days in 2010.
Therefore, policymakers in both Nepal and China have recently set age restrictions for climbers, stipulating that they must be at least 16 years old to attempt the climb. However, there is no upper age limit, although many older climbers might need to pass a medical exam before embarking on their expeditions.
Sadly, Miura passed away while attempting to summit Everest again in 2017 at the age of 85.
It’s Not Actually the Tallest Mountain on the Planet
While Everest is recognized as the highest point on Earth’s surface, it is essential to note that it is not the tallest mountain when measured from base to peak. That title belongs to Mauna Kea in Hawaii, which stands at an impressive 33,465 feet (10,200 meters) when measured from its base below the ocean, making it 4,436 feet (1,352 meters) taller than Everest. Thus, while Everest is the highest when measuring altitude, Mauna Kea holds the overall title as the tallest mountain.
The reason Mauna Kea is not recognized as the highest peak is that a substantial portion of its mass lies beneath the ocean, and its elevation above sea level is only 13,796 feet, making it seem modest in comparison to the Himalayan giants.
