Everest

Everest is the highest mountain on Earth above sea level, with its summit on the border between Nepal and the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. The current official height is 8,848.86 meters (29,031.7 feet), a measurement reported in 2020 by Nepal and China. The height can fluctuate due to snow, ice, and geological activity.

The mountain has several names. In Nepali it is Sagarmatha, meaning “Forehead of the Sky.” In Tibetan, it is Chomolungma, often translated as “Goddess Mother of the World.” The English name Everest honors Sir George Everest, a British surveyor; the name became common in the 19th century.

Geography and formation: Everest is part of the Mahalangur Himal subrange of the Himalayas. It was formed by the ongoing collision of the Indian Plate with the Eurasian Plate, which continues to push the peak upward and shape the surrounding glaciers.

Climbing history and routes: The first confirmed ascent occurred on 29 May 1953, by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay. The standard climbing routes are the Southeast Ridge from Nepal and the Northeast Ridge from Tibet. Everest Base Camp in Nepal sits at about 5,364 meters, while the Tibetan base camp is around 5,150 meters, serving as starting points for expeditions.

Season, risks, and impact: The most favorable weather for summit attempts is typically in spring (April–May). Climbing Everest involves risks such as altitude sickness, severe weather, avalanches, crevasses, and extreme cold. The popularity of climbs has raised environmental concerns, including waste management on popular routes and camps.

Cultural and scientific significance: Everest remains a symbol of exploration and mountaineering, while ongoing measurements and research monitor geology, climate change effects on glaciers, and high-altitude physiology.