The height of Everest from the foot to the top. Mount Everest amazing facts

Mount Everest, other names Chomolungma (Chomolungma) or Sagarmatha, the highest peak in the world. Its height has been re-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 is not an easy question, because we are talking about the height of the highest mountain on Earth. And it is very correct that the interested parties agreed to conditionally consider the height equal to 8848 meters for the near future.

Where does the British name come from?

The Himalayas are a very old word, so the Indo-Aryans have called and call the highest mountains in the world for more than one thousand years. Maybe someone has already given a name to the highest peak of this mountainous country? Maybe it will open over time.

Geologists believe that Everest began to form 60 million years ago, when the Indian plate began to run over the Eurasian plate. The Himalayas and other mountainous regions of Central Asia are recognized as young mountains.

In the late 40s of the XIX century, English surveyors measured the heights of the peaks located on the border of Tibet and Nepal. It was part of the larger work of mapping the outskirts of Britain's Indian possessions and part of the "big game" against an expansionist rival in Asia. Russian empire... For quite a long time, the materials were processed for several years, only in 1856 a report appeared, which contained information that the peak at number XV reached an altitude of 29002 feet or 8840 meters. I must say that then neither Nepal nor Tibet allowed foreigners to enter their territory at that time. Therefore, the measurements were carried out from a distance of 170-190 km, from the peaks of the border mountains. The error in this case is determined within 300 meters. So the accuracy was almost incredible.

The English surveyors did not find an unambiguous local name, like that of, say, Kanchenjunga. They were looking badly, they just really wanted to call the summit by their own name. However, this could not be done without lengthy discussions. Years passed and only in 1865, the head of the geodetic services, Andrew Waugh, managed to negotiate with the Royal Geographical Society to name the peak MountEverest. In honor of the services of one of the most prominent explorers in the region, George Everest (1790 - 1866).

George Everest ended up in India in 1806. At first he was an artillery cadet, then he was sent to the geodetic service. In 1818, Everest became the assistant leader, and in 1823, the leader of the Great Trigonometrical Survey. It was under his leadership in the next 20 years that an unprecedented action for those times was carried out on geodetic surveying of Hindustan from the extreme South to the Pamirs. It was an outstanding work, a real breakthrough in the development of practical geodesy. So the name of the peak was given in honor of a worthy person.

It's funny that John Everest himself was of Welsh origin and called himself a Hebrew. But the mountain in English transcription was immediately called Everist. For the whole world, who speaks bad English, she also began to be called Everest .., which with a certain stretch can be called "always resting." Interestingly again, George himself had the nickname "Neverest" - "never resting."

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

Results of cartographic works

And the process

Or maybe Gaurizankar after all?

The Schlaginveit brothers are true knights of science

In 1862, the German geographer-traveler Hermann Schlaginweit, after returning from Tibet, announced in Berlin that this peak has the local name Gaurizankar. I must say that this message was favorably received by the world the scientific community, which did not quite agree with the fact that the highest peak in the world was so simply given an English name. Gradually, the name Gaurizankar became generally accepted, with almost everyone agreeing. Even in England. An ardent proponent of the local name was Douglas Freshfield, the greatest authority on geography and mountaineering.

Freshfield was the first mountaineer in the Caucasus (1868). In 1899 he conducted the first Himalayan expedition "Around Kanchenjunga". Together with Clinton, Dent was the first to voice the idea of ​​the possibility and necessity of climbing Mount Everest. But for a long time he called him Gaurizankar ...

However, the specialists of the Indian Trigonometric Service did not give up. They stood their ground and had an advantage: the game took place "on their field and according to their rules." At the beginning of the 20th century, special studies were carried out, which provided the facts that Gaurizankar is a completely different peak. The eternal confrontation between the British and the Germans, aggravated at the beginning of the century, led to the fact that the matter acquired a political character. On the eve of World War II, England fully adopted the name "Everest".

Francis Younghusband, the famous scout-traveler, took the Everest initiative into his reliable hands in the 20th century ...

And the final victory on a global scale took place in the early 1920s, when British expeditions hit the front pages of newspapers and the name became known to every cultured person. Although at the same time, it became clear to almost everyone that the summit had a name, and it was long before the arrival of the British. The Tibetans and Sherpas called the mountain Chomolungma. Moreover, this name was also known in Europe. The name Chumulankma was on the maps made by French preachers at the end of the 18th century. London geographers could not have been unaware of this!

"Call me Chomolungma!"

So the fight continued on and continues now. The views of opponents of English names in the 20th century were supported by the national liberation forces of India. At a meeting of their Congress (parliament), they ridiculed the British, not wishing any mercy to the departing "elder brother". And the Chinese communists, together with their Soviet comrades-in-arms, preferred the Tibetan word Chomolungma (in our opinion) or Chomolungma (in their language, which is more correct). This is what our geography textbooks called the top of the world. It was under this name that Tenzing Norgay recognized her as a boy, as the Sherpas and Tibetans living in the area call her.

However, the mountaineering world as a whole continues to use the name Everest ... Nevertheless, the game continues. "Call me Chomolungma!" Appellez moi Chomolungma! - this slogan was put forward in 2002 in France. He did not have a great response and joined the general outline of the public struggle for the preservation of the identity of Tibet. She has the character of an anti-Chinese company. But for the French (I wonder if they read it like "Shomolungma") and a little anti-English.

A little later, another name appeared: Sagarmatha. It was already introduced into use by the Nepalese authorities. They chose a Hindu-sounding word for the occasion. Sagarmatha is the name of the highest peak in the world in official Nepalese documents, this is the name of the national park organized at its foot.

The Sherpa people inhabiting the foot of the Mountain accepted all three names with philosophical calm. After all, human language is a process. And any object is called as people call it. In this case, Everest is 80 percent "Everest" and only the remaining 20 percent - Chomolungma, and almost zero - Sagarmatha. After all, his name is pronounced primarily by climbers. Or in the context of mountaineering .... And it is with the word Everest that the whole dramatic story of struggle and victories is connected, the story of Mallory and Irwin, Tenzing and Hillary, Messner and Bonington, Myslovsky and Balyberdin, many and many others ....

The story that made the mountain alive.

Everest is the tallest mountain in the world

Everest (or, as it is called in Nepal, Chomolungma) rises 8848.43 meters above sea level. Climbing Mount 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 died trying to conquer this peak. The most high point on our planet is known today to every schoolchild. But the story 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

Reminiscent of the shape of a pyramid that has risen 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 magnificent in beauty, 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 great efforts, 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 locals have died while trying to conquer the highest peak the globe(although the exact death toll remains unknown today, because not all of them officially registered their ascent). The difficulty lies not only in the high atmospheric pressure and thin air, which cannot be breathed for a long time, but also in the danger of the route itself. Nevertheless, 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 in 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 the participants, but also considerable investments. Average price is around $ 30,000 if you go on your own or with your organized and independent group. Travel companies offer their own expeditions, and the price of their services is about $ 60,000. The cost of a VIP-level expedition, which includes constant Internet access and telephone communications, is often higher than $ 90,000. In general, 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 the image of the company. It is always best to study the matter yourself and very scrupulously. In particular, it will not be superfluous to pay attention to whether the package includes the cost of the flight and services of Sherpas. The fact is that sometimes you have to pay for the participation of local "assistants" on the spot, when you are already at the base camp, so in order to avoid unexpected surprises, it is always better to study the details in advance.

Why so expensive?

The government of Nepal levies a mandatory tax on all foreigners who wish to climb Mount Everest. Fees can range from $ 11,000 to $ 25,000, depending on the size of the group and the time period.

Many readers will probably be indignant: "Where are these prices from ??!" But, on the other hand, judge for yourself: even with such collection, there are tens of tons of garbage on the slopes; more than 200 people died during the ascent of Everest ... Imagine what would have happened if this fee had not been charged - the number of climbers, of course, would have increased dramatically, and the peak would have looked like something terrible.

Another important point is the correct selection of the necessary equipment, which also costs a lot of money. The cost of guides, instructors and sherpas often depends on the size of the group, so prices change from year to year.

Everest facts

1. Everest, part of the Himalayan mountain range, is 29,035 feet (8,848 meters) high.
2. A sedentary volcano on Hawaiian Islands, Mauna Kea, ranks first in the ranking of the most high mountains the world, not counting sea level.
3. Everest is more than 60 million years old and was formed by pushing the Indian tectonic plate towards the Asian one. Due to seismic activity in the Everest region, it grows about a quarter of an inch (0.25 ") higher every year.
4. The peak is located right on the border of Nepal to the south and China, also known as Tibet, to the north.
5. Chomolungma (translated from Tibetan) literally means "the holy mother of the universe."
6. To keep warm, climbers are advised to use oxygen at the summit. As far as food is concerned, it is beneficial to eat plenty of rice and noodles even before the ascent, as it will take a significant amount of energy for such an expedition. On average, climbers burn over 10,000 calories daily, a figure that doubles as they climb to the summit; throughout the entire expedition, its members lose 10 to 20 pounds of weight.
7. In the entire history of attempts to conquer the summit, 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, then 102 climbers were injured while trying to climb without using additional oxygen. Most of the bodies to this day remain in the snow and gorges, although Chinese officials said many bodies were removed. The most common cause of death is snow and rock falls, followed by avalanches and third by mountain sickness.
8. The youngest person ever to climb the summit is an American high school student 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. The wind speed at the summit can reach 200 miles per hour.
11. On average, it takes about 40 days to climb. The fact is that the human body needs some time to get used to being at such an altitude above sea level and to acclimatize just before the ascent.
12. The first climbers who managed to climb Mount Everest without using additional oxygen in cylinders were a bunch of Reynold Messner and Peter Hubler (Italy) back in 1978. Later, 193 climbers who followed their example also managed to climb the summit without resorting to additional oxygen (this is 2.7% of all climbs to the peak). Each breath at the summit of Mount Everest is 66% less oxygen than a breath taken at sea level.
13. To date, there have been about 7,000 ascents of Everest peak, more than 4,000 people participated in all known routes.
14. The oldest climber who managed 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 for climbing the summit of Everest.
16. The first woman to conquer the summit of Everest was the Japanese climber Janko Tabei (1975).
17. In order not to fall off the 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 to stop a possible fall on rocky and icy surfaces. In terms of clothing, climbers opt for thick suites that are filled with goose feathers.
18. Sherpas are the collective name for people who live in the west of Nepal. Initially, several centuries ago, they migrated from Tibet. Today they help climbers prepare for the ascent: they help carry food, tents and other supplies to the intermediate camps located above the base camp.
19. Climbers begin using oxygen cylinders at an altitude of 7,925 m (26,000 ft). but this only achieves a 915 m (3000 ft) difference in how they feel. Basically, at 8,230 m (27,000 ft), a person will feel like they are 7,315 m (24,000 ft) above sea level, which, in fact, will not make a significant difference in the well-being of climbers.
20. Peak temperatures can drop as low as –62C (80F below zero).

History

Everest appeared on the earth's surface about 60 million years ago... The mountain has a rather long history of "first climbers", starting with an unsuccessful attempt, which was made back in 1921 by the British expedition of George Mallory and Guy Bullock. Much later, in 1953, the highest peak of the Earth was still conquered by a brave bunch of Italian climbers Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay. The history of ascents and new achievements continues to this day. But the highest peak in the world is not only a vantage point or a serious challenge for climbers, but also a home for highlanders, Sherpas, who have lived there for over 500 years. This little nation best guides and porters for tourists and professionals who have decided to challenge fate and climb the highest and most difficult summit of our planet.

Where is Everest located?

Everest is not only the tallest mountain, it is also the highest point located on the border of the two countries. The mountain is located between the territories of China and Nepal, but its peak is in China, or rather, in the Tibet Autonomous Region. Everest is part of the Himalayan mountain system and is only one of the nine peaks of this mountain range. Interestingly, the Himalayas are comprised of thirty-nine of the highest peaks in the world, which is why Everest has many young "brothers". Together they form a fence between the Tibetan plateau and the Indian subcontinental plate.

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 "Chomolungma", the Chinese version of the name is "Shèngmǔ Fēng". The locals in Darjeeling call it "Deodungha" which translates to "Holy Mountain". For many years it was believed that the highest peak in the world is in the Andes, and only in 1852 a mathematician from India was able to reveal to the world the really highest mountain.

How did he get his name?

The highest mountain was discovered by George Everest, who served as Indian Secretary General, in 1841. Since then, the official name that was given highest peak Land, comes from the name of the discoverer. Prior to that, in different countries the summit was named differently, based on local languages ​​and dialects. But since the highest point of the planet should have a single and understandable name for everyone, the name of the person who officially discovered it became internationally recognized.

In which country is Everest located?

At various points in its history, Everest was considered part of both China and Nepal. After the annexation in May 1959, relations between Nepal and China became absolutely friendly, and the fact that the border between the countries passes at the peak of the highest mountain in the world is a symbolic confirmation of this. Therefore, in theory, the peak that is closest to space does not belong to one particular country, but is the common property of Nepal and China. Each tourist who has decided to at least look at Everest from the side, not to mention the ascent to the top, can at his discretion choose which side it is more convenient to do it. But for the sake of justice, it should be noted that the view from the side of Nepal is much more beautiful, and the ascent is much easier.

How high is 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 other than Mount 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 annually by 4 millimeters due to plate movement... In addition, earthquakes in Nepal can move Everest and even change its height. So, modern scientists continue to argue that none of the measurements of the height of Everest, either from the Chinese or from the Nepalese side, is correct. Chomolungma continues to grow. Continental plates do not stand still, they are constantly pushing Everest higher and higher.

Curiously, the exact height of the mountain is still a matter of controversy. Back in 1856, when British researchers were first able to measure the height of the peak with a theodolite, it was recorded that it was 8.840 m (or 22.002 feet). The current 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 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 the high pressure and rarefied air. However, Everest is home to one rare spider that lurks in the crevices of the mountains. This insect feeds on other frozen insects that reach the summit with winds and snow masses.

Neighborhood

The Everest massif consists of several distinct peaks, such as Changse 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. Then, to measure the height, special devices called theodolites were used, which weighed more than 500 kg (1,100 lb), and it took 10-15 people to move such a device. Several attempts were made to measure the exact height of the Everest mountain peak, and it was only in 1949, shortly before the first ascent, that accurate data were finally obtained.

The closest place where people live is Rongbuk, a Buddhist temple that was founded back in 1902. It was reconstructed not so long ago after complete destruction in the 70s of the last century, during the civil war. Currently, this place is becoming the last living quarters on the climbers' way to the top of the world. In Rongbuk, you can stay in a small hotel and even dine 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 the world became aware of a new champion - Nanda Devi peak in India with a height of 7,816 meters. It may sound ridiculous, but today Nanda Devi is ranked only 23rd in the list of the tallest mountains in the world. But there is a reason that the listed peaks were indeed the highest points of the world known at that time: after all, Nepal, which is called the roof of the world for a reason, was closed to everyone for a long time.

Everest is officially considered 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 trash, ranging from simple food bags to oxygen tanks and old equipment stored and accumulated for decades on the slopes of this mountain, considered sacred by the locals.

Scientists are constantly finding the remains of marine life that were petrified in the structure of rocks 450 million years ago, at a time when the surface of Everest was not yet a peak or mountain, but remained part of the seabed. The Himalayas were formed only about 60 million years ago. The record holders for visiting the peak of Everest are two Sherpas: Apa Sherpa and Tashi Purba, 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 a low oxygen content, frequent collapses and avalanches, which took many lives of local residents and climbers who decided to overcome this height. The greatest tragedy in Everest history happened in 2014, when a huge avalanche killed 16 local Nepalese guides. This happened near one of the base camps. The second largest was the tragedy of 1996, when 15 climbers did not return from the ascent.

These people died for 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 in the number of victims was the unsuccessful expedition of 2011, when 11 people remained forever in the snows of the Himalayan mountains. They are all 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 have decided to climb Everest, there are, as mentioned earlier, two options - to start the ascent from the side of China or go along 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 the health of each before climbing. Staying for some time at the base camp helps to avoid the occurrence of health problems associated with changes in pressure.

The South Camp is located on the side of Nepal, 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 southern side is becoming more and more popular. And, of course, all the inhabitants of the surrounding villages, which were previously employed in agriculture and animal husbandry, are now fully 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 intermediate camps on the Everest trek, there are several others located both before and after the main two. They represent intermediate stations on the way to conquering the top of the world.

The supply of food and equipment to the southern base camp is carried out by the Sherpa carriers, since transport connection in this region is impossible. Food, medicine and everything you need is delivered by yaks, local pack animals.

Climbing

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

Naturally, such a difficult test will require serious preparation and a huge amount of special equipment: shoes, clothes, tools and gadgets. Also required large group experts and assistants for the proper organization of the trip and many years of experience in climbing other peaks. But if we talk about the process itself, then it is, of course, extremely exciting. Regardless of which route you take, it is recommended that you travel with a Sherpa companion. Today, the region is home to some 3,000 Sherpas, all of whom are first-class guides, assistants and carriers, as well as summit conquerors. In short, Sherpas are a nation of highlanders. If you have seen the famous photograph of the first man's ascent of Mount Everest, then you will understand how amazing, inexpressible through words, feelings at the top can be. As Tenzing Norgay confessed, "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 Mount Everest is spring... Autumn expeditions are less popular. Today, the most popular way to climb Mount Everest is on a guided expedition. This ensures that there is a professional with the group who knows the surest route to the top. In addition, his knowledge and experience can be relied on 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 there is to know before starting the ascent, help to select the necessary equipment and check the physical condition, as well as the health of the participants, in advance.

Plan

The very first step to climbing Mount Everest is to start proper preparation, including getting 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 starts at one of the base camps (on the southern or northern slope), which is chosen depending on the route and ascent plan. So, to reach the base camp, located at an altitude of about 5,000 m (16,000 feet) 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 Mount Everest. Then, for an additional fee, climbers can enlist the help of Sherpa mountaineers to help bring the necessary equipment, food and oxygen tanks to the intermediate camps.

How long does it take to climb Everest?

Of course, climbing to the top of the world does not at all imply a walk along the picturesque snow-covered slopes. For less trained climbers and for those who have at least a minimal risk of developing any disease, the acclimatization period at an average altitude (in the base camp at an altitude of 5100 meters above sea level) in some cases can reach 30-40 days. For a whole month, you will be surrounded by Sherpas and your companions, until your body gets used to the pressure of the atmosphere and the lack of oxygen. Only then can you continue climbing. On average, when it comes to tourist expeditions, the duration of the entire ascent (from the moment you arrive in Kathmandu to being at the highest point in the world) will be about 60 days. When everything is ready, it will take about 7 days to climb from the base camp to the summit. After that, approximately 5 more days will be spent on the descent to the base camp.

The first person to conquer Everest

Although Edmund Hillary was the first person who managed to set foot on the top of the world, many attempts to climb Everest were made long before him. Back in the twenties, a special expedition of the recently created Everest Committee was developing the most optimal ascent routes. It is not surprising that the members of this expedition were the first to set foot on the top of the “sacred mountain”, which Everest was for the locals. Yet two completely different people, Sir Edmund Hillary and Nepalese climber Tenzing Norgay, jointly made the first successful summit with south side and finally they were able to find themselves where no man's foot had ever set foot before.

In 1953, when this outstanding event finally took place, China closed Everest to any visit, and the world community allowed no more than one expedition a 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 of 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 the top of the mountain, these 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 in the ranking of the youngest climbers who managed to conquer Everest. Her ascent was crowned with success in 2003. The oldest man to climb Mount Everest is 80-year-old Miura Yuchiro from Japan, and the oldest woman is Tamae Watanabe from Japan, who climbed at the age of 73.

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

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

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

What does the highest point in the world look like?

Tourists often wonder what geographical coordinates Mount Everest, and who is the first conqueror of Everest. The highest (as most geologists say) mountain in the world is located on the territory of two countries at once. The summit, located on the south side, is about 8,760 meters high and lies between Nepal and the Tibetan Autonomous Region of China. The highest point of the planet is on the north side, at a distance of 8848 m from sea level, it belongs entirely to the PRC.

In shape, Everest is somewhat similar to a three-sided 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 naked.

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 is almost entirely composed 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 summit 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 that, the Indian lithospheric plate began to move in a northerly direction and after a while came across the Eurasian plate, or rather, on south edge 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 of it rose and formed a huge barrier that blocked the mainland from West to East (it originates in the French Alps and ends in South Vietnam). It is because of its appearance in the southeastern part of Asia that seasonal monsoons were formed.

The highest mountains of this barrier are the Himalayas ("Abode of the Snows"). Their growth still has not stopped, annually increasing from 3 to 10 mm. In the Himalayan ridge, scientists have counted 75 mountains, whose height above sea level exceeds 7 km. At the same time, the highest mountains are located in Nepal - the height of nine peaks here is more than 8 km. And Everest rises above all, or as it is also called - Chomolungma (Goddess - mother of the world) or Sagarmatha (Lord of the sky).

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

Mount Everest

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

This is 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 must 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 altitude according to the Nepalese option.

Despite the fact that Chomolungma is recognized as the highest point that is 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 we start measurements from the ocean floor) is more than ten thousand meters.

Climate

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

Almost all summer, Everest is under the influence of monsoon winds that come from the south and bring with them a huge amount of precipitation. Those who want to climb Everest in the summer quite often get into such strong snowstorms that it often becomes impossible to continue climbing.

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

People begin to actively conquer the summit 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 has fallen overnight. During this period, westerly winds prevail here. If their speed is about 80 km / h, the clouds around Everest stay at the level of the summit, if the air masses move less quickly, then the clouds rise above the mountain, if faster, they go down.

Flora and fauna

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

As for living beings, the Himalayan jumping spiders, which are almost the only creatures that can exist at an altitude of 6,700 m above sea level, feel good here.

These arthropods feed on frozen insects, which bring in strong air masses, and on collembuli living here, small arthropods, 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 here a mountain duck and alpine jackdaws (the latter feed on carrion and are able to stay at an altitude of more than eight kilometers).

Chomolungma - the sacred mountain of the Sherpas

In the eastern part of Nepal, in the Everest region, live Sherpas, the descendants of 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, and also Jomo Miyo Lang, who is one of the "five sisters of longevity", provide food for the inhabitants of the five highest Himalayan peaks, live on it.

According to local legends, once the Indian preacher Padmasambhava (Born in a lotus), the founder of Tibetan Buddhism (VIII century AD), organized a competition who would climb Everest faster, challenging one of the lamas of the official Bon religion at that time. Since Padmasambhava was brought to the top by a sunbeam, his opponent lost, and as a sign of his defeat left his drum there. After that, whenever an avalanche descends from the mountains, locals beat drums, thus driving away evil spirits and demons.

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

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

Sherpa climbers

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

It is quite natural that a huge number of records for the conquest of Everest belong to the representatives of this particular people. Nevertheless, everyone is wondering who was the first to conquer Everest.

• The first conquerors of Everest were Sherpa Tenzing Norgay and mountaineer from New Zealand Edmund Hillary, who happened to be there back in 1953.
• Apa Sherpa and Phurba Tashi conquered the summit twenty-one times.
• Pemba Dorje climbed Sagarmatha in 8 hours 10 minutes.
• Babu Chiri managed to stay on the 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 gets into 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 sacred mountains... Therefore, the Himalayas for a long time were inaccessible to the white man and rarely did anyone manage to climb the peaks of this mountain range.

The peak officially conquered by the first white man, the height of which exceeded 7 thousand meters, turned out to be Trisul - and it 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 death. The saddest thing is that the corpses of many of the victims remained unburied on the mountain due to the difficulties associated with their transportation.

According to rumors, some of the 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 there to this day, denoting this height. It is better known to rock climbers under the name "Green Shoes" (the shoes of this color were worn by the deceased).

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

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

The most difficult part of the path

The most difficult climbers are given the last three hundred meters, not without reason nicknamed "The longest mile of the Earth." And it's not just oxygen starvation and extreme weather but also the terrain. To successfully reach the target, you must first overcome the extremely steep, snow-covered, smooth stone elephant. This section is so heavy and dangerous that climbers are not able to insure each other.

How much does it cost to climb Mount Everest

The pleasure of climbing Chomolungma is not cheap - about 65 thousand dollars. USA (while only for one permit, which must be issued by the authorities of Nepal, it is necessary to pay 10 thousand dollars). The payment includes the services of guides who, before starting the ascent, conduct training for future climbers (most of the clients are rich people who have almost no experience in conquering peaks), provide the necessary equipment and take care of safety.

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

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

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

Global warming

Global warming definitely could not but affect the most high mountain the world, as a result of which the Chomolungma glaciers decreased by 30%, which is an extremely huge problem, since these glaciers feed the largest rivers in the area (including the Yangtze and the Yellow River). The melting glaciers also expose the rock, making it harder to climb Sagarmatha.

Influence of humans on Everest

Definitely, if the first climbers saw now the state of Everest, they would not recognize it - the entire mountain is strewn with used oxygen containers, 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, using them later for heating. The issue of burial of the dead climbers is becoming more urgent (the resolution of this issue is of particular concern to local residents).

How to revive it

The government of Nepal and a large 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 for climbing Chomolungma, which costs a lot of money.

In the meantime, this decision did not come into force, it was decided that every tourist who climbed Everest must take out at least eight kilograms of garbage from the mountain.

Some organizations began to work on how to stop the melting of glaciers - such an impact had on the ideologist of this project, American cinematographer David Breachers, comparing only two photographs - one that he shot himself, and one that George Mallory, one of the first climbers who conquered Chomolungma. The difference impressed him enormously. The future will show how successful these projects will be.

Everest - European name the mountain, which for a long time was called by the locals, Tibetans, Chomolungma. This name translates as "Divine Mother of Life". The Nepalese, observing the mountain from the southern side, called it "Mother of the Gods", which sounds like "Sagarmatha". The mountain got its name "Everest" after the name of the English surveyor George Everest.

Until the middle of the 19th century, there was no exact data on the height of the mountain, so its title highest peak was unofficial. In 1852, an Indian mathematician carried out a series of calculations and determined that Everest is the highest mountain on Earth.

Everest was formed by the collision of two plates - Hindustan and Eurasia. The Indian plate went under the crust in the territory of Tibet, and the mantle was lifted up, as a result, a large mountain range appeared, which still continues to grow due to the slow movement of tectonic plates.

Everest location

The Himalayan Mountains cover a vast territory in the Tibetan and Indo-Ghanaian Plains, separating the desert and mountainous regions of Central Asia and the tropical regions of South Asia. The mountains stretch for almost 3 thousand kilometers in length, and are 350 kilometers wide. The area of ​​the Himalayas is about 650 thousand kilometers, and average height peaks - about 6 thousand meters above sea level.

Everest is the highest of the Himalayan mountains. The mountain in the form of a triangular pyramid has two peaks: the northern one, 8848 meters high, is located in China, or rather, the Tibet Autonomous Region, and the southern one, with a height of 8760, runs right along the border of China with Nepal.

On all sides the summit is surrounded by mountains and ridges of smaller sizes: in the south, Chomolungma connects with the eight-thousanders Lhotse, between them lies the South Saddle Pass; from the north is the North Col, which leads to Mount Changse. On the eastern side of Everest there is a steep impassable wall called Kangashung.

Not far from the mountain are the peaks of Nuptse, Makalu, Chomo Lonzo. Also, the mountain is surrounded by glaciers located at an altitude of five thousand meters: Ronbuk, East Rongbuk. From the north of Everest stretches the gorge of the Rong River.

Partially the mountain is located in the territory of the Nepalese Sagarmatha National Park, which consists of gorges, mountain ranges and rugged areas in the Upper Himalayas.

The closest major cities to Everest are

Mount Everest (Chomolungma) is the most high mountain in the world with a peak that rises to 8847 meters above sea level. The natural beauty of Everest, located on the border of Nepal and Tibet, in the Mahalangur region of the Himalayan Mountains, is unmatched. Incredibly, all of the world's 14 peaks over 8,000 meters can be found in this area, providing some of the most extreme mountaineering conditions in the world.

Mount Everest info & facts

• Everest is believed to be over 60 million years old.
• Locals have long revered the Himalayan mountains as the homeland of the gods, and until the 1900s, the locals did not climb these sacred peaks. In Nepal, Everest is known as Sagarmatha, which translates as "Goddess of the sky." Likewise, in Tibet, Everest is known as Chomolungma, which means "Mother Goddess of the Universe."
• Before the mountain was named after Sir George Everest in 1865, it was known simply as "Peak 15".
• Climbers typically lose 4 to 9 kg. during his expedition to Everest.
• Everest is known as the "tallest mountain in the world" as it is the highest point above sea level. However, there are actually several higher mountains around the world, such as Mauna Kea in Hawaii, but most of it is underwater.
• Very few animals are able to survive in the upper reaches of the mountain, with the exception of the Himalayan jumping spider, some caterpillars and yellow choughs.

How Everest was formed

Mount Everest was formed about 60 million years ago by the movement of earth's tectonic plates, due to the collision of the Indian subcontinental plate with the Eurasian continental plate. The impact displaced marine limestone from the bottom of the ancient Tethys Sea, creating a characteristic strip of yellow cliffs at the summit. Beneath the limestone can be found layers of black gneiss that date back to the Precambrian era when continental plates originally collided. Some evidence suggests that the Himalayas continue to rise upward, while other evidence suggests northwest movement and even shrinkage.

Nobody thought of Everest as the top of the world until the 19th century. In 1802, British geologists began a large trigonometric survey to map the Indian subcontinent. Heavy machinery, difficult terrain, poor weather conditions, scorpions and malaria made the job extremely challenging. Nevertheless, surveyors were able to make remarkably accurate measurements. They announced that the Himalayas, and not as previously thought, the Andes, were the highest mountain range in the world. By 1852 Everest, then "Peak 15", was crowned king of all mountains, and by 1856 they calculated its height as 8,840 meters above sea level. A 1999 survey using modern GPS technology found their calculations were inaccurate by only 8 meters.

Who was the first to climb Everest?

New Zealander Sir Edmund Hillary and Nepalese Sherpa Tenzing Norgay are considered the first to climb Mount Everest in 1953. Before the ascent, numerous climbers attempted to climb Everest, including George Mallory, who discovered the Northern Route to the Summit in 1921, and George Finch, who first reached over 8,230 meters using oxygen in 1922.

However, there is controversy surrounding the attempt made by Mallory and Andrew Irwin in 1924. Although the couple did not return from the expedition, opinions are divided as to whether they reached the summit of Mount Everest before their untimely death. This would make them the first climbers to reach the summit, 29 years before Hillary and Norgay.

Since then, the ambitious record holders have sought to contribute to the Everest history textbooks.

• The first recorded ascent to the summit from the northern side of Mount Everest took place on May 25, 1960, by the Tibetan Navang Gombu and the Chinese climbers Wang Fu-Chou and Chu Yin-hau.
• The first woman to climb Mount Everest was the Japanese woman Junko Tabei in 1975.
• They reached the summit for the first time without supplemental oxygen - Reinhold Messner and Peter Habeler, in 1978.
• The first solo climber to reach the summit was Reinhold Messner in 1980.
• The first blind man to reach the summit is Eric Weichenmeier in 2001.
• The oldest person to reach the summit is Min Bahadur Sherchan, 76 years old.
• The youngest person to reach the summit is Jordan Romero, at the age of only 13.
• The first couple to get married on Mount Everest are Mona Mulepati and Pem Doria Sherpa, a Nepalese couple, in 2005.

Everest weather

The weather conditions on Everest are extreme. January is the coldest month of the year, with maximum temperatures reaching -60 ° C. During the warmest month of the year, July, average temperature recorded at -7 ° C. The temperature never rises above freezing. Pennant-like clouds pointing east, often seen around the peak, form as moisture-rich air along the southern slopes of the Himalayas condenses and combines with westerly winds blowing against and around Everest's peak. The position of these clouds can help climbers predict storms.

In addition to dangerously cold temperatures, wind and rainfall also pose a hazard to climbers. During the Indian monsoon season, from June to September, constant wind and humidity blows from Indian Ocean leading to frequent storms and heavy cloud cover. From November to February, the jet stream creates winds that blow with the force of a hurricane, up to 285 km / h. High winds often carry sand and chunks of rock apart from snow and ice during storms. Most rainfall occurs during the monsoon season, but winter storms are also frequent.

Death on Everest

To date, over 240 people have died on Mount Everest. Unexpected storms, avalanches, frosts, high winds and of course the dangers posed by extreme altitudes challenge even the most experienced climbers. Fortunately, thanks to the progress made in modern climbing equipment and the use of highly trained guides, the death toll has now dropped significantly. Climbers usually go through Everest base camp and then 4 additional camps to allow their bodies to acclimate to the altitude.

1996 is the deadliest year in the history of Everest. On May 11, 1996, expeditions led by Scott Fisher and Rob Hall were caught in an unexpected storm. On that day alone, Mount Everest claimed 8 lives. Journalist and mountaineer John Krakauer wrote the first story about the tragedy in which he blamed the instructors of the Mountain Madness team for the tragedy. In response to Krakauer's book, guide Anatoly Bukreev, another survivor of the tragedy, published Ascension, a book in which he dismissed all of Krakauer's accusations.

Since retrieving the bodies of those killed on the mountain would be a dangerous, grueling job, most of the corpses remain the same. Given the icy temperatures, they persist and act as trail markers for those trying to reach the summit.