The highest mountain in the world is Everest (Jomalungma). Description and photo. All about Mount Everest 8848 height of which mountain

No difficulties stop those who want to test their strength, climb where not everyone can climb, see with their own eyes what not everyone can see - the incredible and indescribable beauty of the natural world. And this is despite the fact that the climb will be to the real Death Mountain, because Mount Everest attracts tourists.

When everyone found out where Everest, the highest mountain in the world, was located, they immediately began to conquer its peaks. Everyone who storms Everest knows that he can stay here forever. He may die due to lack of oxygen, heart failure, injury incompatible with life, or simply freeze to death. At the same time, even fatal accidents can easily lead to death, for example, an unexpectedly frozen valve of an oxygen cylinder or a seemingly strong cable suddenly breaking. Death has happened on Everest, and this is evidenced by the peculiar cemetery on Everest, where the corpses of the dead are located.

The climb to the top is so difficult that, having reached a height of 8 thousand meters, each expedition member becomes so busy with himself that he is not always able to find the strength to help a friend if necessary. He will think about the moral side of this issue later if he comes down. According to statistics, for every ten successful climbs to Mount Everest, there is one death.

What does the highest point in the world look like?

Tourists often wonder what the geographic coordinates of Mount Everest are, and who is the first conqueror of Everest. The highest (as most geologists claim) mountain in the world is located on the territory of two countries at once. The peak, located on the southern side, has a height of about 8760 meters and is located between Nepal and the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. The highest point on the planet, on the northern side, at a distance of 8848 m from sea level, belongs entirely to the PRC.

Everest's shape is somewhat similar to a triangular pyramid. All three of its slopes (southwestern, southern and eastern) are extremely steep, and two of them are completely covered with glaciers. As for the southern slope, it is so steep that snow and ice simply cannot stay on it, which is why it is almost always exposed.

The slopes are connected to each other by almost straight ridges, stretching to the west, southeast and south.

As for the summit of Everest, it consists almost entirely of sedimentary deposits, mainly limestone and sandstone, which previously covered the ocean floor of the ancient Tethys Ocean, even before the emergence of a giant hill in this place. In addition, in our time, scientists often find fossils of marine animals and shells on the top of Everest, which confirm the theory that this area in former times was located below sea level.

How Everest came to be

About 60 million years ago, the ancient continent, located in the southern hemisphere of the world, split into several lithospheric plates. After this, the Indian lithospheric plate began to move in a northerly direction and after some time collided with the Eurasian plate, or rather, the southern edge of Asia.

As a result of the collision, the bottom of the ancient Tethys Ocean was deformed. As a result, part of the ocean went deep into the Earth, into the mantle, and part rose and formed a huge barrier that blocked the continent from West to East (it originates in the French Alps and ends in South Vietnam). It was because of its appearance that seasonal monsoons formed in the southeastern part of Asia.

The highest mountains of this barrier are the Himalayas (“Abode of Snows”). Their growth has not yet stopped, increasing annually from 3 to 10 mm. In the Himalayan range, scientists have counted 75 mountains whose height above sea level exceeds 7 km. Moreover, the highest mountains are located in Nepal - the height of nine peaks here is more than 8 km. And Mount Everest rises above everyone, or as it is also called - Chomolungma (Goddess - Mother of the World) or Sagarmatha (Lord of the Sky).

As for the official name, the proposal to name the mountain in honor of George Everest, who at one time headed the British Geodetic Survey in India, was made by Andrew Waugh, his student, who managed to prove that “Peak XV,” named by Everest, is the highest point on the planet.

Everest height

After scientists established the exact coordinates of Mount Everest, they began to determine its height. Despite the fact that the exact height of Chomolungma was established by English topographers in the middle of the 19th century, debate on this issue continued for quite a long time.

And all because the Chinese believed that Everest rises 8844 meters above sea level, while the Nepalese were convinced that Sagarmatha was four meters higher. This difference was explained by the fact that, according to the inhabitants of the Celestial Empire, Chomolungma needs to be measured, not taking into account the huge layer of snow lying on the top, only by the height of the mountain itself. The countries came to full agreement only a few years ago, agreeing to set the height according to the Nepalese option.

Despite the fact that Chomolungma is recognized as the highest point above sea level, there is a mountain on our planet that exceeds it in size by more than one kilometer. This is the inactive volcano Mauna Kea in the Hawaiian Islands. Although it rises above the earth’s surface by only 4205 m, its total height (if you start measuring from the ocean floor) is more than ten thousand meters.

Climate

The average air temperature at the Sagarmatha peak in January is −36°C and quite often drops to −60°C. The warmest month here is July, when temperatures rise to −19°C, but never exceed 0°C.

Almost all summer, Everest is under the influence of monsoon winds that fly in from the south and bring with them huge amounts of precipitation. Those who want to climb Everest in the summer quite often find themselves in such strong snow storms that it often becomes impossible to continue the ascent.

When the monsoons end, from November to March (except January), Chomolungma is hit by terrifying winds, the speed of which often exceeds 285 km/h, which also makes climbing the mountain extremely difficult.

People begin to actively conquer the peak in the intermediate periods, when the weather behaves more or less decently, but even at this time you can often suddenly find yourself in the middle of a sandstorm or wake up in the middle of a three-meter layer of snow that fell overnight. During this period, westerly winds prevail here. If their speed is about 80 km/h, the clouds around Everest are at the level of the summit; if the air masses move less quickly, then the clouds rise above the mountain; if faster, they fall down.

Flora and fauna

The flora on Chomolungma is sparse, but there is some. Tufts of grass and low shrubs grow at the foot (among them is snow rhododendron, the only bush that can exist at an altitude exceeding 5 thousand km at a temperature of -23°C). Here you can see conifers, lichens, moss, etc.

As for living creatures, Himalayan jumping spiders feel good here, being almost the only creatures capable of existing at an altitude of 6,700 m above sea level.

These arthropods feed on frozen insects, which are brought here by strong air masses, and on collembulae, small arthropods that live here, which feel good at an altitude of up to 6 thousand km. In addition to them, several species of new grasshoppers were discovered on the slopes of Everest. As for the higher regions of Chomolungma (over 6700 m), only microscopic species can live here.

In addition to insects, you can sometimes see birds near the top of the mountain - climbers often noticed mountain ducks and alpine jackdaws here (the latter feed on carrion and are able to stay at altitudes exceeding eight kilometers).

Chomolungma - the sacred mountain of the Sherpas

In the eastern part of Nepal, in the Everest region, live the Sherpas, descendants of the Tibetans who emigrated more than five hundred years ago to the south of the Himalayan range. For them, Chomolungma is sacred because, according to their beliefs, spirits, demons, as well as Jomo Miyo Lang, which is one of the “five sisters of longevity”, live on it, providing food to the inhabitants of the five highest Himalayan peaks.

According to local legends, once the Indian preacher Padmasambhava (Born in the Lotus), the founder of Tibetan Buddhism (8th century AD), organized a competition to see who could climb Everest the fastest, challenging one of the lamas of the then official Bon religion to the competition. Since Padmasambhava was brought to the top by a sunbeam, his opponent lost, and as a sign of his defeat, he left his drum there. After this, whenever an avalanche descends from the mountains, local residents beat drums, thus driving away evil spirits and demons.

Before climbing Everest, the Sherpas each time perform a special ceremony (puja), remembering those who died on Sagarmatha, putting their thoughts and souls in order, and asking the spirits of the mountain to take pity on them and not destroy them.

In memory of everyone who died during the ascent, the Sherpas erected a pyramid on the way to the base camp, located between Dingbosh and Lobos. And near the foot of the mountain, in a special place, stupas, prayer wheels, flags and mantras intended for ceremonies are kept.

Sherpa climbers

If it were not for the endurance of the Sherpas, their qualifications and experience, who knows how well the Himalayan mountains, and with them Everest, would have been studied. It was representatives of this nationality who, as guides, provided invaluable assistance to the first explorers of the ridge.

It is quite natural that a huge number of records for conquering Everest belong to representatives of this particular ethnic group. However, everyone wonders who was the first to conquer Everest.

• The first conquerors of Everest were Sherpa Tenzing Norgay and climber from New Zealand Edmund Hillary, who found themselves there back in 1953.
• Apa Sherpa and Phurba Tashi summited the summit twenty-one times.
• Pemba Dorje climbed Sagarmatha in 8 hours 10 minutes.
• Babu Chiri managed to stay on top of the mountain for about an hour - which is quite difficult, given not only the strong winds, but also the very low air pressure, due to which only 1/3 of the oxygen reaches the lungs.

Conquest of Everest

Since, according to local beliefs, gods live in the Himalayas, the governments of Tibet and Nepal did not previously allow foreigners to disturb the peace of the sacred mountains. Therefore, the Himalayas were inaccessible to the white man for a long time and rarely did anyone manage to climb to the tops of this mountain range.

The first peak officially conquered by a white man, whose height exceeded 7 thousand meters, was Trisul - and this happened in 1907. Active attempts to climb higher mountains began in 1921, and the first conqueror of Everest was identified in 1953.

Since then, many tragic pages have appeared in the history of the conquest of Everest - according to statistics, during the ascent of this mountain, for every ten successful ascents there is one fatality. The saddest thing is that the corpses of many of the dead remained unburied on the mountain due to the difficulties associated with their transportation.

According to rumors, some corpses serve as a kind of landmark for climbers. For example, a Hindu who died at the end of the last century at an altitude of about eight and a half thousand meters is still there to this day, marking this height. It is better known to climbers as “Green Boots” (this is the color of the shoes the deceased wore).

But information of this kind does not stop extreme sports enthusiasts and fans from setting records. For example, in 1980, Italian Reinhold Messner climbed Chomolungma alone, without using oxygen cylinders. In 2001, Marco Siffredi skied down Everest on a snowboard. But when I tried to do it the next year, I disappeared without a trace.

It was on Sagarmatha that the most massive loss of life in the history of mountaineering was recorded. This happened in April 2014, when a huge avalanche buried sixteen people.

The most difficult part of the route

The hardest thing for climbers is the last three hundred meters, not without reason nicknamed “The Longest Mile on Earth.” And the culprit here is not only oxygen deprivation and extreme weather conditions, but also the terrain. To successfully reach the goal, you first need to overcome the extremely steep, snow-covered, smooth rock elephant. This section is so difficult and dangerous that climbers are unable to insure each other.

How much does it cost to climb Everest?

The pleasure of climbing Chomolungma is not cheap - about 65 thousand dollars. USA (in this case, just for one permit, which must be issued by the Nepalese authorities, you need to pay 10 thousand dollars). The payment includes the services of guides, who, before starting the climb, train future climbers (most of the clients are rich people with almost no experience in conquering peaks), provide the necessary equipment and take care of safety.

For this, future Everest conquerors undergo appropriate training: it takes them about two weeks to climb from Kathmadu to the parking lot located at an altitude of 5364 m. Having reached the base, climbers spend a month acclimatizing and getting used to the altitude before moving on. The ascent itself usually takes about two months and spring is considered the most favorable period for this.

Recently, the flow of tourists to Everest has been increasing annually. For example:

• In 1983, only eight climbers conquered Sagarmatha;
• Seven years later their number increased to forty;
• In 2012, more than two hundred climbers climbed Chomolungma in just one day (at the same time, traffic jams and fights between tourists were recorded).

Global warming

Global warming definitely had an impact on the highest mountain in the world, as a result of which the Qomolungma glaciers have decreased by 30%, which is an extremely huge problem, since these glaciers feed the largest rivers in the area (including the Yangtze and Yellow River). Melting glaciers also expose rock, making climbing Sagarmatha increasingly difficult.

The influence of people on Everest

Definitely, if the first climbers had seen now the state of Everest, they would not have recognized it - the entire mountain is strewn with used oxygen tanks, torn tents, bags, and, as Time journalist Brian Walsh put it, “pyramids of human excrement.” An illustrative example in this case is the data of ecologists, who calculated that in 2007 alone, when about 40 thousand tourists visited the mountain, they left about 120 tons of garbage.

Tourists cause irreparable harm to the environment by actively destroying trees growing around Chomolungma, subsequently using them for heating. The issue of burying dead climbers is becoming more pressing (the resolution of this issue is of particular concern to local residents).

How to revive it

The government of Nepal and a considerable number of non-profit organizations have developed a number of activities aimed at reviving Everest. Moreover, some of them even go to the detriment of the country’s economic interests - first of all, the authorities are going to consider the issue of reducing the issuance of permits to climb Chomolungma, which costs a lot of money.

Until this decision came into force, a resolution was adopted that every tourist who climbed Everest must remove at least eight kilograms of garbage from the mountain.

Some organizations have begun to work on how to stop the melting of glaciers - this was the impact that the ideologist of this project, American cinematographer David Breashers, had on the comparison of just two photographs - the one he took himself, and the one that George Mallory, one of the first, once took climbers who conquered Chomolungma. The difference impressed him extremely. The future will tell how successful these projects will be.

Everest - the highest mountain in the world

Everest (or, as it is called in Nepal, Chomolungma) rises 8848.43 meters above sea level. Climbing Everest is a real dream for every climber, but, without a doubt, it is also a very dangerous adventure, since a huge number of people have died trying to conquer this peak. The highest point on our planet is known to every schoolchild today. 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.

Infographics

Shocking truth

Resembling a pyramid in shape, rising 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 magnificently beautiful, 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 top at the cost of enormous effort, and sometimes even at the cost of their own lives. Unfortunately, many climbers remained forever among the snow and rocky gorges. More than 235 climbers and local residents died while 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 is impossible to breathe for a long time, but also in the danger of the route itself. However, 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 about 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 participants, but also considerable investments. The average price is about $30,000 if you go on your own 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 expedition, which includes constant Internet access and telephone communication, is often higher than $90,000. Overall, 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 yourself and very carefully. In particular, it would be a good idea to pay attention to whether the package includes the cost of the flight and the services of Sherpas. The thing is that sometimes you have to pay for the participation of local "helpers" on the spot when you are already at base camp, so to avoid unexpected surprises, it is always better to research the details in advance.

Why so expensive?

The Nepalese government imposes a mandatory fee on all foreigners who want to climb Everest. Depending on the size of the group and time period, the fee can range from $11,000 to $25,000.

Many readers will probably be indignant: “Where do these prices come from??!” But, on the other hand, judge for yourself: even with such collections, there are tens of tons of garbage on the slopes; more than 200 people died while climbing Everest... Imagine what would have happened if this fee had not been charged - the number of climbers, of course, would have increased sharply, and the peak would have begun to look like something terrible.

Another important point is the correct selection of the necessary equipment, which also costs a lot of money. Costs for guides, instructors and Sherpas often depend on the size of the group, so prices vary from year to year.

Facts about Everest

1. Everest, part of the Himalayan mountain chain, is 29,035 feet (8,848 meters) high.
2. A sedentary volcano in the Hawaiian Islands, Mauna Kea ranks first among the highest mountains in the world, not counting sea level.
3. Everest is more than 60 million years old and was formed by the pushing of the Indian tectonic plate towards the Asian one. Due to seismic activity in the region, Everest grows about a quarter of an 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 advised to use oxygen at the summit. As for food, it is useful 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 more than 10,000 calories daily, and this number doubles during the summit; Over the course of the expedition, participants lose 10 to 20 pounds of weight.
7. In the entire history of attempts to conquer the peak, 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, 102 climbers were injured while attempting to climb without the use of additional oxygen. Most of the bodies remain in the snow and gorges to this day, although Chinese officials have reported that many bodies have been removed. The most common cause of death is snow avalanches and rockfalls, followed by avalanches and third by altitude sickness.
8. The youngest person ever to reach the top is an American schoolboy 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 mph.
11. On average it takes about 40 days to complete the climb. The fact is that the human body needs some time to get used to being at such a height above sea level and to acclimatize immediately before the ascent.
12. The first climbers who managed to climb the peak of Everest without using additional oxygen in cylinders were the team of Reinold Messner and Peter Hubler (Italy) back in 1978. Later, 193 climbers who followed their example also managed to reach the summit without resorting to additional oxygen (this accounts for 2.7% of all ascents to the peak). Each breath taken at the top of Everest contains 66% less oxygen than a breath taken at sea level.
13. To date, approximately 7,000 ascents to the peak of Everest have been made, with more than 4,000 people participating in all known routes.
14. The oldest climber to conquer the mountain was Miura Yuchiro (Japan), who climbed at the age of 80 on May 23, 2013.
15. There are 18 different official routes to the summit of Everest.
16. The first woman to reach the top of Everest was Japanese climber Junko 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 (“crampons”) 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. When it comes to clothing, climbers opt for thick suits that are filled with goose feathers.
18. Sherpas are the collective name for the people who live in western Nepal. Initially, several centuries ago, they migrated from Tibet. Today they help climbers prepare for the climb by helping to carry food, tents and other supplies to the intermediate camps located above the base camp.
19. Climbers begin using oxygen tanks at an altitude of 7,925 m (26,000 ft). but this only makes a 915 m (3,000 ft) 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. Temperatures at the peak 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 quite a long history of “first climbers”, starting with an unsuccessful attempt that was made back in 1921 by the British expedition of George Mallory and Guy Bullock. Much later, in 1953, the highest peak on Earth was finally conquered by a brave team of Italian climbers Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay. The history of ascents and new achievements continues to this day. But the world's highest peak is not only a vantage point or a major challenge for climbers, but also home to the mountain people, the Sherpas, who have lived there for more than 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 on our planet.

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 more precisely, in the Tibet Autonomous Region. Everest is part of the Himalaya mountain system and is only one of the nine peaks of this mountain range. Interestingly, the Himalayas consist of the thirty-nine highest peaks in the world, so Everest has many younger "brothers". Together they form a fence between the Tibetan and Indian subcontinental plateaus.

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

How did he get his name?

The highest mountain was discovered by George Everest, who served as the Indian Secretary General, in 1841. Since then, the official name that has been given to the highest peak on Earth has been derived from the surname of the discoverer. Before this, the peak was called differently in different countries, based on local languages ​​and dialects. But since the highest point on the planet must have a single name that is understandable to everyone, the name of its discoverer has officially become recognized at the international level.

In what country is Everest located?

At various points in its history, Everest was considered part of both China and Nepal. After annexation in May 1959, relations between Nepal and China became absolutely friendly, and the fact that the border between the countries lies 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 specific country, but is a common property of Nepal and China. Every tourist who decides to at least look at Everest from the outside, not to mention climb to the top, can choose at his own discretion from which side it is more convenient to do this. But it’s fair to note that the view from Nepal is much more beautiful, and the climb is much 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 was 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. Thus, modern scientists continue to argue that none of the measurements of the height of Everest from either the Chinese or Nepalese sides are correct. Chomolungma continues to grow. Continental plates do not stand still; they constantly push Everest higher and higher.

Interestingly, 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 using a theodolite, it was recorded as 8,840 m (or 22,002 ft). 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 flight level of a fighter plane. 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 fall to the top with winds and snow masses.

Neighborhood

The Everest massif consists of several individual peaks such as Changtse at 7,580 m (24,870 ft), Nuptse at 7,855 m (58,772 ft) and Lhotse at 8,516 m or 27,940 ft. At the time of the discovery of these peaks, it was very difficult to measure the height of the mountain peak with accuracy. Back then, special instruments called theodolites were used to measure height, weighing more than 500 kg (1,100 lbs) and requiring 10-15 people to move such a device. Several attempts were made to measure the exact height of Mount Everest, and it was only in 1949, shortly before the first ascent, that accurate data was finally obtained.

The closest place where people live is Rongbuk, a Buddhist temple that was founded back in 1902. It was reconstructed not 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 way of climbers to the top of the world. In Rongbuk you can stay in a small hotel and even have dinner in a tiny restaurant.

About height

For nearly 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 a new champion became known to the world - Nanda Devi Peak in India with a height of 7,816 meters. This may seem funny, but today Nanda Devi ranks only 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 known world at that time: after all, Nepal, which is not without reason called the roof of the world, 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 by 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 a mountain, but remained part of the seabed. The Himalayas were formed only 60 million years ago. The record holders for visiting the peak of Everest are two Sherpas: Apa Sherpa and Tashi Phurba, 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 low oxygen content, frequent landslides and avalanches, which 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. This happened near one of the base camps. The second largest tragedy was in 1996, when 15 climbers did not return from the ascent.

These people died due to various reasons, some due to the use of inappropriate equipment, others due to a lack of oxygen in the cylinders or unexpected changes in weather conditions that made it impossible to return to base camp. The third largest 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 - to start the climb from China or to take the Nepalese route. In order to get used to the atmospheric pressure and acclimatize at altitude, there are two main base camps. In any of them, each tourist will be able to spend the necessary amount of time so that the body gets used to new conditions, since acclimatization in this case will help prevent mountain sickness. Both camps have doctors who can advise climbers and assess everyone's health before climbing. Staying at base camp for some time helps to avoid health problems associated with changes in blood pressure.

The South Camp is located on the Nepal side, and the North Camp is on the Tibetan (Chinese) side of Everest. Although the northern camp can even be reached by car on summer days, the camp on the south side is becoming more and more popular. And, of course, all the residents of the surrounding villages, who were previously engaged in agriculture and livestock raising, are now completely focused on providing visitors with everything they need. They help in transporting things and supplies to the upper intermediate control points, in preparing food, and offering various products. In addition to the main stopover camps on the route to Everest, there are several others located both before and after the main two. They represent way stations on the way to conquering the top of the world.

The supply of food and equipment to the southern base camp occurs through Sherpa porters, since transport links in this region are impossible. Food, medicine and other necessities are delivered using yaks, local pack animals.

Climbing

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

Naturally, such a difficult test will require serious preparation and a huge amount of special equipment: shoes, clothing, tools and gadgets. A large group of experts and assistants for the proper organization of the trip and many years of experience in climbing other peaks are also required. But if we talk about the process itself, then it is, of course, incredibly exciting. No matter which route you choose, it is recommended to 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 summit conquerors. In short, the Sherpas are a nation of mountain people. If you've seen the famous photograph of man's first ascent of Everest, you'll understand how amazing, inexpressible in 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 for climbing 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 the group will have a professional with them who knows the surest path 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 them choose the necessary equipment and check the physical and health conditions of the participants in advance.

Plan

The very first step to climbing Everest is to begin proper preparation, including gaining serious experience of climbing other peaks. These are very important requirements, since such an expedition is quite risky and dangerous and requires certain skills. It begins at one of the base camps (on the southern or northern slope), which is selected depending on the route and ascent plan. So, to reach the base camp, located at an altitude of approximately 5,000 m (16,000 ft) 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 enlist the help of Sherpa mountaineers who will help carry the necessary equipment, food and oxygen cylinders to intermediate camps.

How long will 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 at least minimal risk of developing any disease, the acclimatization period at medium altitude (at base camp at 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 atmospheric pressure and lack of oxygen. Only after this can you continue climbing. On average, when it comes to backpacking expeditions, the duration of the entire climb (from the moment you arrive in Kathmandu until you reach the highest point on the globe) will be about 60 days. Once everything is prepared, it will take about 7 days to climb from base camp to the summit. After this, approximately another 5 days will be spent on descending to base camp.

The first person to conquer Everest

Although the first person to set foot on the top of the world was Edmund Hillary, many attempts had been made to climb Everest 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” that Everest was for the local residents. And yet, two completely different people, Sir Edmund Hillary and the Nepalese mountaineer Tenzing Norgay, together made the first successful ascent to the summit from the south side and were finally able to find themselves where no one had ever set foot before.

In 1953, when this outstanding event finally happened, China closed Everest to all visitors, 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 Great Britain. Although Hillary and Tenzing spent only 15 minutes on top of the mountain, those 15 minutes today are comparable only to the first steps on the moon.

The youngest person to ever reach the top 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 youngest climber to conquer Everest. Her ascent was crowned with success in 2003. The oldest man to reach the summit of 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.

Video

In Nepal there lives a man who has conquered the “top of the world” 21 times, and at the very top, which was once the seabed, amazing spiders live. 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 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 anything that can fly so high. With the exception of some species of birds, these are the only living creatures that permanently live at such an altitude. True, in 1924, during the 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 for climbing Everest - 21 times

Appa Tenzing, also known as Appa Sherpa, was able to reach the top of the world 21 times. His 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 emphasized that the effects of global warming are clearly visible in the mountains. Appa is concerned about the melting snow and ice making it more difficult to climb the mountain, and about the safety of his people after his home village was flooded by a melting glacier. Appa made his last four ascents of Everest as part of environmental expeditions.

Conquering 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 climbs to the world's highest mountain. 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 when conquering Everest, traffic jams and even fights occur. So, in 2013, climbers Ueli Steck, Simon Moreau and Jonathan Griffith got into a fight with the Sherpas after the latter asked them to stop climbing. Sherpas accused the climbers of causing an avalanche. An argument began, which on emotions escalated into a brutal fight using stones. Things got to the point of death threats, but the climbers returned to 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 were formed about 60 million years ago, their history begins much earlier. 450 million years ago, limestone and rocks were part of sedimentary layers that lay below sea level. Over time, the rocks on the ocean floor gathered together and began to move upward at a rate of 11 centimeters per year. Fossils of sea creatures can now be found at the top of Everest. They were first discovered in 1924 by guide Noel Odell - thus proving that the summit of Everest was once under water. The first rock samples from the world peak were brought back by Swiss climbers in 1956 and by a team from America in 1963.

5. Height Controversy

What is the exact height of Everest? It depends on which country you are on. China stated that it is 8844 meters, while Nepal claims 8848 meters. This dispute arose because China believes that the height should only be equal to the height of the rock, excluding meters of frozen snow from the total. Whether this is true or not remains a double-edged sword, but the international community still includes snow in the height of the mountain. China and Nepal reached an agreement in 2010, finally establishing the official height of 8,848 meters.

6. Everest is still growing

According to the latest measurements, both China and Nepal may be wrong about the height. In 1994, a research team discovered that Everest continues to grow at 4 millimeters per year. The Indian subcontinent was originally an independent piece of land that collided with Asia to form the Himalayas. But the continental plates are still moving, and the heights of the mountains are rising. American researchers in 1999 installed special equipment that allows them to monitor its changes. Their more accurate measurements could lead to the official height of the mountain being changed to 8,850 meters. Meanwhile, other tectonic activity causes Everest to shrink, but the results combine to still keep it growing.

7. Everest has several names

Most of us know the mountain under the names 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 its name to 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 in honor of 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 pick.

8. Traffic jams of people

Climbing Everest will cost anyone several thousand dollars, but the number of those eager to conquer the peak is steadily growing. In 2012, German climber Ralf Dujmowitz took a photo of hundreds of people queuing to climb. By the way, due to bad weather and a long line, Ralph had to turn back at one of the passes called the South Col. And on May 19, 2012, those who wanted 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 raised some concerns about the safety of conquering the summit, and specialists from Nepal installed railings that help combat congestion. The issue of installing a staircase at the top is currently being discussed.

There are many photographs showing the beauty of Everest from all possible angles, but there is also the other side of the coin: 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 amount grows in proportion to the number of visits. On the slopes of the mountain you can see used oxygen cylinders, climbing equipment and other waste from climbers. In addition, the mountain is “decorated” by the bodies of dead climbers - due to difficulties in transporting them, victims of unfortunate circumstances remain lying on the slopes. Some of them serve as landmarks for other climbers. Thus, Tsewanga Palzhora, who died in 1996, “marks” an altitude of 8500 meters and even received the nickname “Green Shoes” - for his noticeable bright green shoes. Since 2008, a special environmental expedition (Eco Everest Expidition) climbs the mountain every year, the purpose of which is to combat pollution of Everest. So far, thanks to this expedition, more than 13 tons of waste have been collected. In 2014, the Nepalese government introduced a new rule according to which each 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 tallest mountain on Earth

Despite the assigned title, Everest is in fact not the tallest mountain in the world. Mauna Kea, an inactive volcano in Hawaii, rises “only” 4,205 meters above sea level, but another 6,000 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 Chimborazo volcano in Ecuador reaches an altitude of 6,267 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, in terms of stereometry, the highest point on Earth.

Why Everest and not Chomolungma? November 13th, 2015

In continuation of a series of posts that have attracted a lot of attention from bloggers (, and) let's remember why Everest is called Everest.

Anyone who studied geography at school will easily remember the name of the highest peak on the planet. Everest has long attracted climbers, extreme sports enthusiasts and fans of all things mysterious. Its height has been measured several times recently. Therefore, even in official materials there are three sets of numbers: 8848 m, 8850 m, 8844 m. The first of them is firmly embedded in our memory. The latter was measured from the Chinese side. This question is not easy, because we are talking about the height of the highest mountain on Earth. And it is very correct that the interested parties agreed for the near future to conditionally consider the height to be 8848 meters.

Meanwhile, the highest mountain on the planet received its current name relatively recently, only a century and a half ago. Since time immemorial, Tibetan monks have called her Chomolungma - “Mother Goddess of the Earth.” French missionaries, who reached the Himalayas in the 18th century, put it on the map under the name Ronkbuk - that was the name of the Tibetan monastery built by order of the Dalai Lama on the northern slope of the mountain.

In Nepal, the highest of the mountains was called Sagarmatha - “Heavenly Peak”. However, today the whole world knows the mountain under the name that the British gave it.

Dali was given in honor of a man who never climbed to its peak or even came close to it.

George Everest born on July 4, 1790 in Wales, in the town of Gwernvale, into an aristocratic family. For boys from wealthy English families of that time, a military career was typical, and George was no exception. After leaving school he entered the military school in Woolwich. George studied well, especially pleasing his mathematics teachers with his success. Everest graduated from the school ahead of schedule, at the age of 16, and was sent to serve in India as an artillery cadet.

The command, appreciating his brilliant mathematical abilities, transferred the young military man to the geodetic service. In 1814, Everest went on an expedition to the island of Java, where he spent two years.

In 1816, the 26-year-old officer was returned to India, and two years later he became the deputy of the William Lambton- Head of the British Geodetic Survey in India.

At this time, Lambton and his subordinates solved a truly titanic task - conducting a geodetic survey of India. It was not only about the country within its modern borders, but also about the territories in which other states have now been formed, primarily Pakistan.

Theodolite - a measuring instrument used by George Everest

FEATURES OF FLORA AND FAUNA OF EVEREST

During the year, climatic conditions on Everest are considered quite extreme. January is recognized as the coldest month, as the average temperature ranges from -36 to -60° C! But the warmest month, if you can call it that, is July, when the temperature does not drop below -19° C. An amazing fact is that the boiling point of water at the top of the mountain is only 70° C. This phenomenon is due to the pressure indicator, which is only 326 mbar. Usually in spring and winter, Qomolungma has a characteristic westerly wind.

Only a small part of plants and animals can withstand extreme conditions. In 1924, scientists made an amazing discovery: as it turned out, at an altitude of about 6700 meters, a jumping spider belonging to the genus Araneomorpha was found. In order to survive, the little spider has to hunt small springtails and flies that live within 6,000 meters. But insects, in turn, feed on lichens and some types of fungi.

As part of an expedition that took place in 1925, experts discovered about 30 species of those same lichens. Also, in the area of ​​5600 meters, scientists discovered a bar-headed goose. Only a few species of birds can withstand the pressure at the top, and they use climbers' food scraps as food.

"Peak XV"

This work began in 1806, and was completed only half a century later, in 1856. George Everest spent most of his life on it.

In 1823 William Lambton died and Everest succeeded him. True, two years later he was struck down by a serious illness, which forced him to return to England.

In Britain, however, Everest continued to deal with issues of the Indian Geodetic Survey - he provided supplies of new instruments, solved theoretical problems and organizational issues.

In 1830, with his health problems behind him, George Everest returned to India, where he worked for another 13 years.

During these years, the mountain peaks of the Himalayas were also recorded, but their heights were not measured. All peaks were given a code name, and Chomolungma was included in this list as “Peak XV”.

Merit Award

In 1843, 53-year-old George Everest retired with the rank of colonel and returned to England. Despite his advanced age, the honored surveyor decided to do something for which he had not had time before - starting a family. It must be said that the scientist was more than successful in this, having acquired six children.

George Everest's services to the British Empire were highly appreciated. In 1861 he was awarded the title "Sir" and in 1862 he was elected vice-president of the Royal Geographical Society.

Having worked for many years in the geodetic service in India, Everest trained a galaxy of students, one of whom, Andrew Waugh, in 1852, worked to determine the height of the Himalayan peaks. Waugh's measurements showed that "Peak XV" is not only the highest mountain of the Himalayas, but also the highest point on the globe.

The highest mountain in the world needed a suitable name. In 1865, the English Royal Geographical Society decided that in recognition of services to science and in honor of Sir George Everest's 75th birthday, “Peak XV” should be named after him. Andrew Waugh was the first to express this idea in 1856, and over the next nine years the community of English scientists came to the conclusion that Sir Everest deserves it.

At first, the hero of the day categorically did not like this idea, but his colleagues insisted on their own. As a result, “Peak XV”, first in English documents, and then throughout the world, began to be called “Everest”.

Sir died, but the name lives on

The memory of the merits of the scientist-geodesist remained only in specialized literature and in encyclopedias, but the name given to the peak was so firmly entrenched that it supplanted all its other names.

In countries whose territory is directly adjacent to the Himalayas, in particular in China and Nepal, there have long been proposals to return the “historical” name to the peak. Cartographers, trying to reconcile the warring parties, offer this option: the entire mountain range receives the name Chomolungma, and the peak takes on the double name Everest (Sagarmatha).

However, whatever one may say, for most people who do not delve deeply into such disputes, Everest remains Everest. The surname of Sir Surveyor turned out to be very suitable for the highest peak of the planet.

It's funny that John Everest himself was of Welsh origin and called himself an Ivrist. But the mountain in English transcription immediately began to be called Everist. For the whole world, who speaks little English, it began to be called Everest... which, with a certain stretch, can be called “always resting.” Again, it is interesting that George himself had the nickname “Neverest” - “never resting.”

Note that Everest himself took part in a meeting on names in 1857 and spoke out against the use of his name. In his opinion, the name does not correspond well to local languages ​​and cannot be learned by the natives.

FIRST CLIMBING OF JOMOLUNGMA

On May 26, 1953, the first attempt was made to climb the inaccessible Everest, but Charles Evans and Tom Bourdillon, members of the British expedition, did not reach the top by only 100 meters! The reason for this was an acute lack of oxygen. But a few days later - on May 29, Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay conquered the inaccessible mountain. The climbers did not stay at the top for long; they managed to take a few pictures and buried a cross in the snow with a couple of chocolates.

Since Everest holds the title of the highest mountain in the world, tourists and climbers from all over the world gather at the foot of the mountain to make a difficult climb and conquer the inaccessible slopes of Qomolungma. Thanks to many years of experience of professionals, there is a large selection of safe routes. There are two most popular routes: following the Northern ridge from Tibet and along the Southeast ridge from Nepal. The latter is considered technically easier, so it is also recognized as the most popular among beginners.

Mount Everest (Nepal) - detailed description, location, reviews, photos and videos.

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The highest peak on the planet, Everest, calmly looks at the world from a height of 8848 meters. Conquering Everest or, as the locals call it, Chomolungma (“mistress of the winds”) is an honor for any climber, a dream that in most cases remains unfulfilled. However, in our age of commerce and any tourist routes, the impossible is becoming increasingly rare: a minimum of 35,000 USD and two months of free time in reserve (plus excellent health) - and you soar above the clouds, standing on a 20-meter platform at the top of the world. And if you do not have such impressive reserves in your current account, but still want to join the beauty, you can limit the route to a stop at the Base or Advanced Base Camps of Everest. Prices on the page are for October 2018.

A little history and geography

Everest is the highest point on the planet, height - 8848 meters. The mountain is part of the Himalaya mountain system and lies exactly on the border between China (northern slope) and Nepal (southern slope), thanks to which you can climb from two countries at once, to choose from.

The appearance of Everest is a triangular pyramid with two passes - the North and South Cols and two daughter peaks - Lhotse (South) and Changtse (North). On the eastern side of the pyramid there is a wall that is inaccessible for climbing. From a height of 5 kilometers to the very top, Everest is covered with glaciers.

In English, the mountain is called Everest in honor of the head of the survey service of British India in the mid-19th century, Sir George Everest. Well, the first person to ascend to the “throne of God” was New Zealander Edmund Hillary - this happened on May 29, 1953.

To date, more than 4,000 climbers have climbed the world’s highest peak, the lion’s share of which has occurred in the recent years of the development of Everest mountaineering and the commercialization of ascents. Every year more than 500 people storm the summit, but not all reach it.

Climbing Everest

Climbing Everest takes place in spring and autumn; During the rest of the year, monsoons are raging here, in winter the temperature drops to −50 °C, and strong winds blow. Several agencies, including Russian ones, are involved in organizing tours. The main requirements for a potential Everest conqueror: firstly, a round sum in reserve (at least 35,000 USD; the optimal package is 55,000 USD), secondly, two months of free time (necessary for acclimatization, gradual ascent, training trips, etc. .), thirdly, good health, allowing you to successfully acclimatize at an altitude of almost 9 km.

The ascent program is structured as follows. Arrival in Kathmandu, further flight to Lhasa, two transfers to villages closer to Everest, a day of acclimatization and transfer to Everest Base Camp at an altitude of 5300 meters. From the Base Camp - a cycle of training ascents and transition to the Advanced Base Camp (6400 m). The actual ascent (you will stand at the top for no more than 20 minutes) and the return descent, then the route in reverse order.

The main problem facing Everest conquerors is the inability to acclimatize. The rest of the route is designed for well-to-do tourists who have already been everywhere and have not the most outstanding level of physical fitness.

If you are not ready to part with such an impressive amount, you can limit yourself to climbing to Everest Base Camp and spending one to one and a half months here. The cost will decrease significantly - to 6000-8000 USD.