Edmund’s done it, Tenzing was by his side, 80 year olds do it, but quitters don’t. Mount Everest is the pinnacle, so to speak, of challenges. Think you have what it takes? Here’s some things you need to know about the climb.
The Experience
If you put in the training, you get a chance to reach the lofty heights of Mt Everest. As the tallest mountain in the world – a playground of heroes – it is surprisingly one of the most accessible for climbing.
The First
The first ascenders were of course, New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay. Side fact, Hillary himself was a mountain standing at 1.98 metres tall.
The Stats
Around 600 people reach the summit of Everest in a typical year, while thousands more visit the base camp in a typical season.
It’s amazing that more people have climbed Mount Everest than have broken the 4-minute mile – Roger Bannister
The Facts
In 1856, it was measured at 8840 metres but has since been recognised as standing at 8848 metres. Shifts in the tectonic plates underneath the mountain account for the changes in height with the peak jumping 8 metres. It sits across Nepal and China with the Nepalese calling it Sagarmatha while the Tibetans call it Chomolungma.
The Climb
Not for the faint-hearted of course, there’s training, permits, oxygen-requirements and gear costs involved to make it beyond base camp at 17600 feet, to the very top.
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Image: This way to Mt Everest Base Camp
