The city at the foot of Everest. Where is Everest? Chomolungma - the sacred mountain of the Sherpas

Everest from the plane (shrimpo1967 / flickr.com) Everest (Neil Young / flickr.com) Mount Everest from Base Camp (Rupert Taylor-Price / flickr.com) Mount Everest, Base Camp and Rongbuk (Göran Höglund (Kartläsarn) / flickr. com) Top of Qomolungma (jo cool / flickr.com) View of Everest (Christopher Michel / flickr.com) cksom / flickr.com Mahatma4711 / flickr.com McKay Savage / flickr.com ilker ender / flickr.com Fred Postles / flickr. com Jeff P / flickr.com Everest in the clouds (Jean-François Gornet / flickr.com) utpala ॐ / flickr.com View of Everest from an airplane (Xiquinho Silva / flickr.com) Rick McCharles / flickr.com Climbing Everest (Rick McCharles / flickr.com) Everest Base Camp - Gorak Shep - Nepal (lampertron / flickr.com) akunamatata / flickr.com Summit of Mount Qomolungma (Everest) (TausP. / flickr.com) Denn Ukoloff / flickr.com Mount Everest (Christopher Michel / flickr.com) Returning from Everest Base Camp (valcker / flickr.com) Everest and Nuptse (smallufo / flickr.com) Stefanos Nikologianis / flickr.com

Everest or Chomolungma is the highest mountain peak in the world. It is located in the Himalayas, on the border of Nepal and the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. Geographical coordinates Mount Everest: 27°59′17″ north latitude and 86°55′31″ east longitude.

The height of Chomolungma is 8848 meters above sea level. For comparison, the height of Elbrus, the highest point in Russia, is only 5642 meters above sea level, i.e. at 3206 m below Chomolungma.

The first ascent of Everest was made on May 29, 1953 by New Zealand climber Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay.

The mountain is best known throughout the world as "Everest". The peak was named after George Everest, who was the chief surveyor of British India in the 1830s and 40s.

Mount Everest (Christopher Michel / flickr.com)

Interestingly, the mountain was so named during Everest’s lifetime, about a year before his death. The name was suggested by a student of a scientist who calculated the exact height of the peak and thereby proved that it is the highest on Earth. Before this, the peak was also known as "Peak XV".

The traditional Tibetan name for the peak is Chomolungma, which can be translated as “mistress of the winds.” This name is widely used in Russian cartography, but in Western countries it is not very well known, as it is considered quite difficult to pronounce.

On maps published in our country, the peak is usually signed as “Qomolungma”, and the name “Everest” is indicated in brackets. The traditional Nepalese name for the mountain is also Sagarmatha.

Where is Mount Everest (Qomolungma)?

Almost every child knows where Everest is today. If you look at geographical map, then you can see that it is located in the highest mountain system on Earth - the Himalayas, on the border of Nepal and China.

Everest coordinates: 27°59′17″ N and 86°55′31″ E. Mount Everest is part of the Mahalangur Himal range; the Nepalese part is located within the Sagarmatha Park.

Summit of Everest

The top of Mount Chomolungma looks like a pyramid with three almost flat sides. The southern slope is steeper; snow and ice hardly even linger on it, northern slope- somewhat better.

The relative height of the mountain is approximately 3550 m. The South Col Pass, whose height reaches 7906 meters above sea level, connects Everest with Mount Lhotse (8516 m), and the North Col Pass (7020 m) with Mount Changtse (7553 m). Most mountaineering routes pass through these two passes.

Geographical characteristics

The Khumbu Glacier is located in the basin between the peaks of Chomolungma and Lhotse. Below it turns into the icefall of the same name, which is considered the most dangerous section when climbing through the South Wing.

View of Everest (Christopher Michel / flickr.com)

This can be explained by the fact that the icefall is almost constantly in motion. To pass this place, climbers use various ladders and railings.

Below the icefall, the glacier continues again and ends only at an altitude of 4600 meters. Its total length is 22 km.

Another notable feature of the local topography is the Kangshung Wall. This is the eastern wall of the summit of Mount Qomolungma, whose height is 3350 meters and the width of the base is about 3000 meters.

At the foot of the wall there is a glacier of the same name. Climbing to the top along the Kangshung Wall is significantly more dangerous compared to standard routes.

Everest in the clouds (Jean-François Gornet / flickr.com)

Climate - what time of year is suitable for conquering Everest?

The summit of Everest is characterized by extremely unfavorable climatic conditions. There are often very strong winds here, blowing at speeds of more than 50 meters per second.

The temperature at the top never goes above 0 degrees. The average July temperature is minus 19 degrees, and average temperature January - 36 degrees below zero. On winter nights, temperatures can drop to 50-60 degrees below zero.

What period of the year is best suited to conquer the peak? Based climatic conditions, the most favorable time for climbing is the beginning of May. At this time, the winds here are usually the least strong.

How was Everest formed?

The history of the formation of Everest is closely connected with the history of the formation of the Himalayas, which dates back many millions of years ago and stems from global geological processes.

Top of Chomolungma (jo cool / flickr.com)

About 90 million years ago, the Indian Plate broke away from the giant continent of Gondwana and began to move north quite quickly.

The speed of movement reached twenty centimeters per year, which is significantly greater than the speed of movement of any other plate of the earth's crust. About 50-55 million years ago, the Indian Plate began to collide with the Eurasian Plate.

As a result of this collision, the Eurasian plate was greatly deformed - a vast mountain belt was formed, the highest part of which is the Himalayas.

At the same time, the sedimentary rocks that previously made up the bottom of the ancient ocean were crushed into huge folds and often ended up at enormous heights. This explains the fact that the top of Everest is composed of sedimentary rocks.

Everest Education Scheme

Today, the Indian plate continues its movement in a northeast direction, deforming the Eurasian plate. In this regard, mountain-building processes in the Himalayas continue.

The height of the mountain system in general and individual peaks in particular continues to slowly increase by several millimeters per year.

During large earthquakes, changes in the height of an area can occur almost instantly and be much more significant.

Ecology: garbage left by climbers, bodies of the dead

The environmental situation on Mount Chomolungma leaves much to be desired. During the ascents, a huge amount of garbage accumulated on its slopes.

As of 2007, the Tibetan section of the mountain alone contains about 120 tons of various debris left by climbers. It is not entirely clear how to remove garbage from the slopes.

In the last few years, attempts have been made to collect waste, but this was clearly not enough. Another problem is the evacuation and burial of the bodies of deceased climbers.

• A rather interesting fact is that the water on the highest peak in the world boils at a temperature of only +68 °C. You'll probably ask: why? This is because the atmospheric pressure here is only a third of the normal pressure at sea level.
• Another interesting fact– this is the gradual growth of the mountain. Indeed, the height of Chomolungma increases every year by 3 to 6 millimeters. The same trend is characteristic of all the Himalayas, which is explained by the ongoing processes of mountain building and the associated rise of the territory.
• I would also like to mention this curious fact that Everest is the highest point in the world only if we take into account the height from the level of the world's oceans. Thus, the Mauna Kea volcano on the island of Hawaii rises 10,203 meters relative to the ocean floor, while its height above sea level is only 4,205 meters.

A place with a view of Everest

Thanks to the efforts of the www.AirPano.com team, the opportunity to take a virtual walk on Everest has become possible. AirPano specializes in virtual tours, filmed in high definition from a bird's eye view. Below is a panorama overlooking Everest.

Ever since Sir Edmund Hillary reached the summit of Mount Everest in 1953, thousands of climbers have been eager to emulate his feat. Thanks to Everest's impressive title of being the world's tallest mountain, so many people have climbed it that every year this Himalayan beauty gradually turns into a literal garbage dump.

Everest is the highest mountain in the world (∼ 8,848 m)

When we talk about what is the highest mountain in the world, we usually think about the height above sea level. And if we take this parameter, then the height of the mountain (8849 meters above sea level) is beyond competition. Everest extends higher into the atmosphere than any other peak in the world.

However, the farthest point from the center of the Earth, and therefore the highest in terms of distance, is Chimborazo (6384 meters above sea level). This is a stratovolcano in Ecuador that is part of mountain range Andes.

The earth is not flat, it bulges out at the equator and flattens out near the poles. This means that mountains near the equator are technically higher than those in other areas of the planet. And it so happens that Chimborazo is closer to the convex center of the Earth than Everest. It turns out that it is closer to the stars than the highest point of Mount Everest.

The hardest mountain for climbers

According to one report, Everest extends 6,382 meters from the center of the Earth. At the same time, Chimborazo extends over a distance of 6384 meters. Although the height difference between the two mountains is only 2 km, it is enough to give the title of “highest mountain” to the Ecuadorian stratovolcano.

So why does Mount Everest continue to receive all the laurels while Chimborazo remains relatively unnoticed? It all comes down to the difficulty of the climb.

If you are a climber and want to challenge yourself by conquering Everest, the journey to base camp will take 10 days. It will take another six weeks to acclimatize, followed by nine days to reach the summit. On the other hand, acclimatization on Chimborazo takes about two weeks, and the journey to the top takes about two days. Simply put, after Everest, climbing Chimborazo will seem like a walk in the park.

Above and below sea level

Mount Everest is the highest point above sea level, but if we are talking about sheer height from base to summit, then it is an honor to be called the most high mountain belongs to “White Mountain” (Mauna Kea) on the island of Hawaii. Its height above sea level is 4205 meters, but the mountain goes 5,998 meters down to the bottom. More than half of the mountain is submerged in water.

The total height of Mauna Kea is 10,203 meters. This is 1345 meters higher than Everest.

Mauna Kea is actually an extinct volcano on big island Hawaii. It arose about a million years ago when the tectonic plate Pacific Ocean moved over a plume of liquid magma deep inside the Earth. Mauna Kea last erupted about 4,600 years ago.

The top of the mountain is an astronomer's paradise: It has low humidity, clear skies, and a great distance from any light pollution. That is, from the top of the volcano it opens, perhaps best view to celestial objects. There are currently 13 telescopes on the peak of Mauna Kea.

It is important to note again that Everest is the highest of the highest mountains when measured from sea level. If you use this parameter, then Chimborazo cannot even qualify for the title of “highest peak in the Andes.” This title belongs to Mount Aconcagua, which rises 6961 meters above sea level.

The highest mountains on each continent

1. In Asia - Mount Everest (8,849 meters).
2. IN South America— Mount Aconcagua (6,961 meters).
3. IN North America— Mount McKinley (6,190 meters).
4. In Africa - Mount Kilimanjaro (5,895 meters).
5. In Europe - Mount Elbrus (5,642 meters)
6. In Antarctica there is the Vinson Massif (4,897 meters).

In Australia - Oceania - Mount Puncak Jaya (4,884 meters) in Oceania and Mount Kosciuszko - the highest point on the Australian continent (2,228 meters).

Top 10 highest mountains in the world

The problem with measurement is that it is often unclear where the dividing line lies between a mountain with several peaks and a single mountain. For this reason, it is better to use a measurement called “topographic elevation” (height mountain peak above the bottom of the valley closest to the mountain). Taking into account first of all this criterion, and secondly the height above sea level, we have compiled a rating of the highest points on Earth.

Topographic elevation - 4,741 m.

It rises 5,642 m above sea level.

Mount Elbrus is an extinct volcano located in the western part of the Caucasus Range, in Kabardino-Balkaria and Karachay-Cherkessia, near the Russian-Georgian border. This is the highest peak in the Caucasus.

Excess - 4,884 m.

Height - 4,884 m.

This mountain, located on the Australian Plate on the island of New Guinea, was originally named after its discoverer, the Dutchman Jan Carstens. In 1965, it changed its name in honor of the Indonesian President Sukarno, and in 1969 it was renamed for the third time, to Jaya (Indonesian for Victory) and stopped there for now.

Excess - 4,892 m.

The height of the peak is 4,892 m.

Record holders of Antarctica and part of the Ellsworth Mountains, which tower above ice shelf Ronne.

Elevation - 4,922 m

The height according to GPS is 5,636 m, according to INEGI - 5,611 m.

Stratovolcano, the highest mountain in Mexico and the third highest in North America. Orizaba last erupted in 1687, after which it “fell asleep” and has not woken up to this day.

Topographic elevation - 5,250 m

Altitude above sea level - 5,959 m.

The highest mountain in Canada and the second in North America, after McKinley. Due to active tectonic uplift, Logan is still growing in height. Until 1992, the exact height of the mountain was unknown and was assumed to range from 5,959 to 6,050 meters. In May 1992, the GSC expedition climbed Logan and established the current altitude of 5,959 meters using GPS

Topographic elevation - 5,585 m.

Above sea level - 5,776 m

Highest point in Colombia. The Colombian peak of Simon Bolivar is almost equal in height to it. Together they are the country's two closest peaks to the stars.

Topographic elevation - 5,885 m.

Above sea level - 5,895 m.

Kilimanjaro and its three volcanic cones (Kibo, Mawenzi and Shira) are dormant volcanic mountain in Kilimanjaro National Park, Tanzania. This is the highest mountain in Africa. There is no documented evidence of Kilimanjaro's eruption, but local legends say that the volcano was active 150-200 thousand years ago.

Topographic elevation - 6,144 m

Altitude above sea level - 6,190 m

The double-headed Mount McKinley (aka Denali), located in Alaska, is the highest mountain peak in the United States and North America. At the beginning of the 19th century, it was called Big Mountain and was the highest point of the Russian Empire.

Topographic elevation - 6,962 m.

Above sea level - 6,962 m.

The highest mountain in North and South America. It is located in the Andes mountain range, in the Argentine province of Mendoza. In 2013, the youngest climber, nine-year-old American Tyler Armstrong, climbed the mountain. And last year, Aconcagua was conquered by the youngest climber, twelve-year-old Romanian Dor Jeta Popescu.

1. Mount Everest (Qomolungma)

Topographic elevation - 8,848 m.

Altitude above sea level - 8,848 m.

The leader of the mountain charts was named after the English colonel, Sir George Everest, who was the chief surveyor of India from 1830 to 1843. Mount Everest is also known by the Tibetan name Qomolungma (Mother Goddess of Vital Energy) and the Nepalese name Sagarmatha (Forehead of Heaven).

Where is the tallest mountain in the world?

Qomolungma is located in the Mahalangur Himal mountain range in the Himalayas. Part of it lies on the border of Nepal and China, part on the territory of the Tibet Autonomous Region.

Many human triumphs and tragedies have been associated with Everest. George Mallory (Great Britain) was the first climber to attempt Everest. In 1924, he died near the summit and his remains were found only in 1999, but the body of his teammate Andrew Irwin was not found.

Mount Everest has been the inspiration for many Guinness World Records, from the simple fact that it is the world's tallest peak to the world's tallest (by location) concert.

Despite the title of "the highest peak on Earth", Everest is not the tallest mountain on the planet. That is, Everest has no equal in height above sea level. But as for the height from the base to the top, the palm is held by Mauna Kea in Hawaii, USA. Its visible part is 4,205 meters, and the rest is under water. The total height of Mauna Kea reaches 10,203 meters.

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 most high mountain peace. 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, because bad weather And 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. On this moment Thanks to this expedition, more than 13 tons of waste were 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. Dormant volcano Chimborazo in Ecuador reaches an altitude of 6,267 meters above sea level, but is only 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.

Do you love mountains? Then be sure to check this out:

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 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 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 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 access to the Internet and telephone communication, 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 lies in 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 chain Himalayan mountains, is 29,035 feet (8848 meters) high.
2. Inactive volcano on Hawaiian Islands, Mauna Kea, ranks first in the ranking of 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 little nation is best guides and porters for tourists and professionals who decided to challenge fate and climb the highest and most difficult peak of 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 highest peak Earth, comes from the name of the discoverer. Before this in different countries the peak was called differently 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 so long ago after complete destruction in the 70s of the last century, during 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 lack of oxygen in the cylinders or unexpected changes weather conditions, making 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 reasons mortality 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. Despite the fact that in the northern camp in summer days Even accessible by car, camping on the south side is becoming more and more popular. And, of course, all the residents of the surrounding villages who were previously employed in agriculture and livestock farming, 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 and will help them choose necessary equipment and will check the physical condition, as well as the health status 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 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.

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Mount Everest, also known as Chomolungma, is the highest mountain peak, its height is 8,848 meters. Partially included in the Nepalese Sagarmatha National Park.

Where is Mount Everest

Everest is part of the Himalayan mountain chain. His southern peak runs along the border of the People's Republic of China and Nepal, and the northern part adjoins the territory of the People's Republic of China.

Name

"Qomolungma" is a Tibetan word meaning "Divine Mother of Life Energy." The mountain was named after the goddess Sherab Jamma, who personified maternal energy.

The mountain also has another Tibetan name - “Chomogangkar”, which means “Holy Mother, white as snow”.

The mountain received its English name “Everest” in honor of George Everest, the head of the geodetic service.

Description

With its shape, Mount Everest resembles a triangular pyramid with a steeper southern slope. Due to its steepness, there are never long-term deposits of recrystallized snow, called firn.

Chomolungma is connected to the fourth highest peak on the planet, Mount Lhotse, in the south by the South Col pass. The North Col, a completely ice-covered pass with very steep slopes, connects Everest with Mount Changze ("North Peak"). In the east, Chomolungma ends with the Kangshung wall, the upper part of which is covered with glaciers.

Mountain height

Chomolungma was summoned highest peak peace in 1852. This was stated by the Bengali topographer and mathematician Radhanat Sikdar, based on trigonometric calculations.

However, the first height measurement was taken by the British India Survey four years later. In their calculations, scientists erred by eight meters and announced that the height of Chomolungma is 29,002 feet or 8,840 m.

Their mistake was corrected only almost a hundred years later, in 1950. It was then that, with the help of theodolites (measuring instruments for determining horizontal and vertical angles), Indian topographers established the correct height of the mountain peak, which is 8,840 m above sea level.

In 2010, the officially recorded height of the mountain was 8,848 m.

But the attempts to determine a more accurate height did not end there. The height of Chomolungma was measured by an American expedition, Italian geologist Ardito Desio. However, the results of their research were not considered reliable.

Facts about Chomolungma

1. Mount Everest is over sixty million years old. It owes its appearance to the Indian tectonic plate, which, moving steadily, collided with the Asian plate.
2. The cost of climbing the mountain is not cheap at all. Those wishing to climb to the top will have to not only shell out 85 thousand dollars, but also obtain official permission issued by the Nepalese government. It, by the way, is also not free and costs ten thousand dollars.
3. Did you know that there are hours-long traffic jams not only on the roads, but also when climbing to the top? They are often accompanied by fights between climbers.
4. The strongest winds blow at the top of Everest. Their speed sometimes reaches 200 km/h. The situation is aggravated by low temperatures. The average monthly air temperature in January drops to -36 °C (sometimes drops to -60 °C).
5. Forty days is the average time it takes to climb to the top.
6. From time to time, when climbing Everest, Sherpas (descendants of Tibetans who emigrated to the south of the Himalayas) help climbers carry supplies and belongings.
7. Tourists cause serious damage to the environment of Chomolungma - they destroy trees and use them for heating, and leave a lot of garbage after visiting. In this regard, a resolution was adopted that every climber who climbs to the top must remove at least eight kg of garbage from Everest.
8. Due to global warming, Everest's glaciers have shrunk by thirty percent, which could further negatively affect water levels in the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers.
9. The only living creatures that can live at an altitude of 6,700 m above sea level are the Himalayan jumping spiders. It was they who chose the slopes of Everest.
10. For a long time, Chomolungma was an inaccessible place for white people. The reason for this was the ban imposed by the governments of Nepal and Tibet on foreigners visiting the mountain.

Who conquered Mount Everest

The first ascent to the summit took place in 1953. All fifty attempts made before this turned out to be failures.

English climbers George Finch and Geoffrey Bruce were the first among climbers to use oxygen, which allowed them to rise to a height of 8,320 meters.

Two years later, an expedition consisting of George Mallory and Andrew Irvine set off for Everest. Disputes still rage about whether the climbers reached the summit. The men were last seen 150 meters from the summit before they went missing.

Among the climbers there were those who did not have common sense. Thus, the Englishman Maurice Wilson set out to conquer the mountain without special mountaineering training, completely relying on the help of supernatural forces. The man never reached the top.

Until 1948, the part of the mountain adjacent to Nepal was inaccessible for mountaineering. For this reason, the Europeans stormed only the northern part of Chomolungma. The very first attempt to reach the summit from Nepal took place in 1949.

But still, the first to conquer Everest were Tenzing Norgay (Sherpa) and Edmund Hillary from New Zealand.

After this ascent, climbers from the USA, China, USSR, India, Italy, Japan and other countries climbed to the top.

The first woman to reach the top of Everest was Japanese woman Junko Tabei. And the first European was Polish woman Wanda Rutkevich, among Soviet women - Ekaterina Ivanova.

After that, Everest was stormed at different times of the year, with and without oxygen devices, alone and as part of expeditions, overcoming the most difficult routes and avoiding them.

To date, there have been seven thousand ascents to the peak of the mountain. The oldest climber to reach the top was the eighty-year-old Japanese Miuro Yuchiro. And the youngest is American thirteen-year-old schoolboy Jordan Romero.

Everest - mountain of death

But, unfortunately, not all attempts to conquer the peak are successful.

Statistics say that from 1953 to the present day, more than 260 people have died while climbing the mountain. Moreover, no expensive and high-quality equipment can serve as a guarantee of a successful outcome.

History knows many cases of mass deaths of climbers. In May 1996, eight climbers froze to death on the Southern Slope due to a snowstorm. In 2014, an avalanche caused the death of thirteen people and three were missing.

Because of the bodies of the dead that rest on the slopes of the mountain, many began to compare Everest to a cemetery. In some areas, climbers even have to step over the dead. So, for example, the corpse of a climber who died in 1996 serves as a kind of mark of 8,500 m. The bodies remain unrecovered due to difficulties in evacuating them.

How to get there

To climb Everest, you must first get to the capital of Nepal - Kathmandu. For visiting national park, you need to obtain a permit. Receiving the documents will take you about one day.

You can get to Everest by plane from Tenzing-Hillary Airport, located in the village of Lukla. The plane seats fifteen passengers and flies every half hour.

The best way to get to Lukla from Kathmandu is also by plane, because along mountain roads you can only get to the village of Salleri, and then only on foot.

There are several routes leading to the slopes of Everest. To begin with, it is better to stay on the classic routes around Annapurna, to Everest Base Camp or on the treks in the Langtang region.

To look at Everest, you can take advantage of trekking (travel on foot) offered by various travel clubs and travel agencies.

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