Have you ever been to Mount Everest? Are you aware of the beautiful view from the top of Mount Everest? The scenic beauty of Mount Everest top is very captivating and mesmerizing. This article will discuss the one and only Mount Everest, which is the tallest mountain in the world. It’s fascinating and incredibly beautifuLet’st’s begin!
Mount Everest, the tallest mountain the world:- An Introduction
Mount Everest has different names such as Zhūmùlǎngmǎ in Chinese, Sagarmāthā in Nepal and Chomolungma in Tibet. Do you know? There are around 109 mountains in the world, out of which Mount Everest is the tallest one. Moreover, its elevation is above the MSL (Mean Sea Level). MSL or Mean Sea Level is a standard through which the average heights or elevations are measured. Mount Everest lies in the Mahalangur Himal(which is a part of the Himalayas). Also, Mount Evere world’s tallest mountain, is located in the Northeastern parts of Nepal and the southern centre of Tibet. Moreover, The Border of Nepal and China bump into each other Everest’st’s summit point( highest elevation point). Also, according to the demonstration of the 2020 report, Chinese and Nepali higher authorities claim the elevation of Everest is 8,848.86 m.
Mount Everest is the most popular and inviting to tourists. Its scenic beauty makes it the perfect tourist destigmatization, especially for climbers and skilled mountaineers with years of experience. Nolet’st’s take a brief look at the different routes to reach Everest. As we all know, everyone in life has two options. One of the options is easy, and the other one is hard. Choosing the hard one comes with lots of challenges. But, overcoming those challenges will lead to the path of success. Similarly, reaching Mount Everest is no less than a dangerous task. It can become a threat to your life as well. TruIsn’tn’t it?
Similarly, there are two ways of reaching Everest. One is the standard route, and the other one is the easier route(does not have any specific name). Let us discuss the routes to reach the tallest mountain in the world.
Standard Route AKA South Col Route:-
The route starts from Kathmandu. People gather in teams and start trekking from Kathmandu to South Base Camp(17,300) for a few days. It helps the tourists or climbers adapt to the weather and other climatic conditions to not face any problem in further trekking. Also, this trekking helps them to get the knowledge of what to do in desperate times. The team passes through Khumbu, which is rich and famous for its icefall and Sherpa culture on this route. Moreover, after passing through the Khumbu, the group reaches Western Cwm. Afterwards, in their journey, the climbers pass through many other beautiful and miraculous places like Lhotse Face, South Col, South Summit, Hilary Step and at last to the highest point or summit.
The three camps we just took a look at are situated at different heights. This is to help the climbers adapt to the weather and other crucial conditions required for further climbing.
Other Route: The Northeast Ridge:-
This is a more straightforward route than the South Col. This route lies in the north of Tibet. Moreover, you may or may not know about the Alpenglow Expeditions. Let me tell you about them. Alpenglow Expeditions is a foolproof company that helps dreamers achieve their dream of mountain climbing, trekking and other things you do while trekking. We are discussing Alpenglow in this article because the Alpenglow Expeditions has marked this route to be the safest and less hazardous. Thus, they take their climbers from this route to avoid the possibilities of natural calamities. Also, it takes three days to reach the top point using this path. The journey begins from Lhasa, all the way to Tibet. Tibet has a beautiful Tibetan plateau whose scenic beauty satisfies your eyes.
Moreover, there are only two rest points from the north side base camp: Shigatse and New Tingri or Shegar.
Furthermore, you may have noticed that I am continuously sending a message in this article that the Climbers need to adapt. Adaptation is significant and plays a key role. People living in plains are not habitual of the climatic conditions in hilly areas. Not only our mind should adapt to it, but the body as well. Adapting to new weather conditions is not an easy chore. It takes almost 3-4 days for the body to adjust to the weather and learn about the dangers of Everest, such as cold winds, cold weather and AMS(acute Mountain Sickness). Also, AMS is a very alarming medical condition in which the oxygen level of the body decreases. It happens at high elevation and results in vomiting, tiredness, Hallucinations, confusion and headache etc. Avalanches of the Khumbu glacier are also a threat taking 3people’se’s lives in 2019.
Did you know? Britishers tried reaching Everest first!
Yes! That is true! Before any other successful attempt to reach tallest mountain in the world. The first noticeable attempt to get Britishers made Everest. However, their attempts were not successful because Nepal prohibited the entry of any foreigner to enter their borders. But the Britishers were witty and soon found the solution to their problem. Later, in 1921, they released an expedition that allowed them to set their foot to climb and conquer Everest. Therefore, The 1921 British Mount Everest reconnaissance expeditions made it successful for the Britishers to reach 22,970ft(7,000m). Later, they were able to reach up to 27,300ft(8,320m) with the help of the British 1922 Mount Everest expedition.
This expedition was helpful to conquer Everest(tallest mountain in the world) with bottled oxygen for the first time. Also, this expedition set world records as well. This was the first time when any human set foot on the mountains and climbed above 8000m.
To beat his own 1922 expedition record, Edward Norton made his second successful attempt and beat his own record. In 1924, Another British Mount Everest expedition was released in which Edward Norton reached 8572m(28,126feet)above the North ridge, breaking his o1922’s2’s record. However, this good news turned to a long withstanding argument which left a question mark over history with the disappearance of two climbers. Taking inspiration from Edward, two young and courageous mountaineers, George Mallory and Andr”w “Sandy”, Irvine left to set new records but never returned. Though they were professional mountaineers, and it was their third attempt. News of their disappearance spread like fire in the jungle and left everyone confused and scared. Later, in 1999, Mallory’s remains were found at 26,755 ft(8,155m) in the north.
Tenzing and Hilary success story: First attempt to ascend the tallest mountain and succeed.
As time passes, the thirst of human beings increases after achieving success. Similarly, Britishers made several successful and unsuccessful attempts to reaEverest’st’s summit. However, in 1953, they finally got the taste of success when the British expedition reached Nepal on their ninth expedition. This 1953 ninth expedition was under the supervision of Brigadier Sir John Hunt. For attempting to reaEverest’st’s top, he made two climbing pairs. On 26 May 1953, the first pair of Charles Evans and Tom Bourdillon returned unsuccessfully from 330ft(100m) due to Oxygen deficiency. However, two days later, the other pair (on 29 May 1953) got success as they reached the top of Everest at 11:30 local time after all the struggles via the South Col route. The pairing was of the New Zealand climber and mountaineer Edmund Hilary and a Sherpa mountaineer Tenzing Norgay who gave credit to teamwork for their success.
Their success became world-famous and got an evergreen place in the history books. In the present times, teachers teach their students about teamwork and give their example as reference. Later, in an interview, Tenzing revealed that Hilary set foot first on the top of Everest. Also, he informed that they remained at the top and took lots of pictures and buried sweets and cross before returning.
The news of their bravery and courage spread like fire and reached London on 2 June. This was an auspicious day of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth second. They both became international news and got many medals and achievements. The new queen invited the pair and honoured them with a title of Knighthood in the Order of the British Empire.
More about Tenzing and Edmund….
After achieving incomparable success, they both became star personalities in a few countries. The United Kingdom honoured the Indian citizen and Nepali Sherpa, Tenzing Norgay, with a George Medal(which was the most respectful achievement). On the other hand, the British empire also appointed Edmund Hilary as the member of the life peer and gave him the title of the life peer. And the unique thing about this title is that it can be passed over or inherited.
Moreover, both of the mountaineers also received respect and love in their respective nations. They both got recognition in Nepal, and Hilary saved a seat in New Zealand Order (an honorary society that honours people with titles for their outstanding works and achievements).
Also, in honour of their outstanding achievement, their statues were raised in 2009. Also, in their recognition, two of the Himalayan peaks are named after them as the Hilary peak and Tenzing peak.
Disaster in 1966 World’s tallest mountain:-
After the successful ascent of Hilary and Tenzing, several others mountaineers tried to climb and reach the Himalaya Everest’s peak. However, on May 10 and 11, 1966, an incident took place where 15 mountaineers died. This happened due to the drop of oxygen level on the respective days as per the weather reports. These were the highest number of deaths due to the sudden weather changes. This incident became international news and gained lots of publicity. This results in strictness in the safety measures while climbing the range.
In the end, I must add that success comes from hard work and teamwork too. Teamwork can help you quest the impossible mountains too. Thank you and take care!