Mount Everest

Revered as Chomolungma ("goddess mother of the world") by Tibetans and called Sagarmatha ("goddess of the sky") in Nepal, Mount Everest is the highest mountain peak in the world. Till the advent of 19th century it was known as Peak XV among Westerners. This name was given because of the fact that it was the 15th peak to fall in sight when one starts counting peaks from the Nepalese side. This name was given to Everest way before surveyors established that it was the highest mountain peak on Earth. When this fact was first revealed, it came as a rude shock to the climbers because Peak XV looked smaller than the other Himalayan peaks in the surrounding area. The point of reference and direction were the main reasons behind this illusion. 

Although Everest had commanded attraction for many years, it was as late as 1852 that this giant was first measured. Though some sporadic efforts for its measurement were done earlier too but all of them were abandoned in the middle. In the year 1852, The British Trigonometrical Survey of India measured Everest's elevation as 29,002 feet above the sea level. How could, with such limited means and such primitive instruments, anyone find the actual height of the Everest? But surprisingly, that figure was extremely close to the actual height. This remarkably accurate figure remained the officially accepted height for more than one hundred years. It was only in the year 1955 that this figure was slightly adjusted. The adjusted height was merely 26 feet adrift of the 1852 figure. The adjusted figure stands at 29,028 feet (8,848 m). The mountain received its official name in 1865 in honor of Sir George Everest, the British Surveyor General from 1830-1843 who had mapped the Indian subcontinent. He had some reservations about having his name bestowed on the peak, arguing that the mountain should retain its local appellation; a standard policy of the then geographical societies. His thoughts were in accordance to the Victorian norms of that era. 

The expeditions to the summit started as early as 1924 when two British climbers tried to scale the Everest. They never returned. After many unsuccessful efforts, came the year 1951. A British expedition led by Eric Shipton and Edmund Hillary, traveled into Nepal to survey a new route via the southern face. Taking their cue from the British, in 1952 Raymond Lambert and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay turned back just 200 meters short of the summit. In 1953, The British expedition, led by John Hunt, returned to Nepal. The first effort failed miserably when the climbers got exhausted. The next day, the expedition made its second and final assault on the summit with its fittest and most determined climbing pair. The New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay from Nepal climbing the South Col Route eventually reached the summit at 11:30 am local time on May 29, 1953. At the time, both acknowledged it as a team effort by the whole expedition, but Tenzing revealed a few years later that Hillary had put his foot on the summit first. They paused at the summit to take photographs and exchange sweets and buried a small cross in the snow before descending. News of the expedition's success reached London on the morning of Queen Elizabeth II coronation. The Queen took it as a good omen and Knighted Hillary and Hunt.

• Climbing Mount Everest
• Mount Everest Height
• Mount Everest Pictures
• Mount Everest History
• Mount Everest Facts
• Where is Mount Everest

Climbing Mount Everest

Tourists come to Nepal and relive their dreams. Some dream of meeting Lamas, the other dream of Yeti. Nevertheless, the most beautiful among all dreams is to conquer the Everest. Or as Sir Edmund Hillary said,"to knock the bastard off". Amateurs and Novices are not allowed to scale the Everest, though they can go to the highest base camp that is very close to the peak. It is the place from where the final and decisive ascent starts. 

The Everest experience begins at Lukla airport that is at the height of 2,850 meters. The trail runs almost parallel to the thundering Dudh Koshi River as it sally down the narrow gorges. Just a kilometer walk and hillocks give way to the gigantic peaks that look so intimidating. The vivid fauna and flora of Himalayas mark the route. After a couple of hours of tedious trek you reach Namche Bazaar that is at 3,446 meters. It is an enchanting settlement set in a horseshoe-shaped mountain amphitheater. Its Saturday market is a social event where merchandise of daily use as well as souvenirs left by the mountaineers is sold. Tengboche Monastery is just a 3-hour walk from here. The place gives a clear view of various mountain peaks including the Everest. Time and weather permitting, you can also visit the school in Khumjung village, which was built by Sir Edmund Hillary. 

The next hurdle comes in the form of forest. You have to cross the dark tropical forests that are above 4,000 meters from the sea level. This is the place where you will find different varieties of plants and birds including Rhododendron and Dhanfe, the national flower and bird of Nepal respectively. At Pheriche a visit to the Trekkers aid post will be an educational as well as an interesting experience. During Trekking season there are western Doctors to treat mountaineers from complications like frostbite and altitude sickness. An hour's trek takes you to Dingboche. To aid your acclimatization process you have a rest day in Dingboche. Depending on how you feel; you may wish to rest for the day and relax, or you may wish to do some exploring around. From Phalang Karpo at 4340 m. the view of valley is spectacular. On this trek you will also come across stone monuments that have been erected in the memory of those who have fallen during the various expedition to Everest since the year 1970.

The trek from Lobuje to Gorakshep (5160 m.) is a short one and in normal course you will arrive at Gorakshep before lunchtime. You have an option of having lunch at Gorakshep and then climbing Kalapattar or taking a packed lunch to Kalapattar and eating your lunch while enjoying the view. From Kalapattar you will be descending back to Gorakshep that was the base camp for the 1952 Swiss Everest Expedition. The climb to Kalapattar is a steep ascent but form there the entire Everest south face is visible. As you near the top of Kalapattar, more of the peak of Everest comes into view. The summit of Kalapattar on the ridge towards Pumori will allow a view all the way to the South Col. For those who are fine and have no problem with altitude sickness can further explore towards the Base Camp. The highlight of going to Base Camp is that you can come across Expedition going to Everest and get a first hand insight as what happens Expedition of Everest.

Mount Everest Height

Human mind is by nature sadist. It is by nature voyeuristic too. It likes controversy and lives by it. And if we talk precisely of South Asian societies then we can easily conclude that it is the most argumentative society between the two worlds. It is impossible to find a man or a thing for which two different and contradicting views are not proposed. The same goes true with Mount Everest too. Almost every man you ask will give you his and her exclusive data on it. I am positive that during your tours to Nepal you will come across so many conspiracy theories and versions about Mount Everest summit and related facts that you will faint only to be woken by another bizarre version of the same. 

The current height of Mount Everest has been deduced to 8848 meters or 29,028 feet above the sea level. It was in 1852 that this giant was first measured. Some sporadic efforts for its measurement were done earlier too but all of them were abandoned in the middle. In the year 1852, The British Trigonometrical Survey of India measured Everest's elevation as 29,002 feet above the sea level. How could, with such limited means and such primitive instruments, anyone find the actual height of the Everest? But surprisingly, that figure was extremely close to the actual height. This remarkably accurate figure remained the officially accepted height for more than one hundred years. It was only in the year 1955 that this figure was slightly adjusted. The adjusted height was merely 26 feet adrift of the 1852 figure. The adjusted figure stands at 29,028 feet (8,848 m). 

In the year 2007, the Federal Government of China decided to initiate another drive to measure the height of the Mount Everest. It has been done keeping in view the availability of modern technique and equipments. Besides, due to global warming and its counter-repercussions, the height of various mountain peaks has varied from the established figures.

Where is Mount Everest

Mount Everest that is called Sagarmatha in Nepali or Chomolungma in Tibetan is the highest peak in the world. Mount Everest is situated at the edge of the Tibetan Plateau on the border between Nepal and Tibet. This plateau is also known as Qing Zang Gaoyuan in Tibetan. It is part of the Great Himalayan Range that stretches along India, Nepal and China. 

Nepal is situated in the South-Asian region that is popularly called Indian Sub-Continent. Nepal is an extremely landlocked country surrounded by Indian State of Uttaranchal in North, Uttar Pradesh in Northwest, West and Southwest, Bihar In South, Sikkim and Bhutan in Southeast and Tibet Autonomous Region of China in East and Northeastern side. Where as Tibet is not a country but an autonomous region that falls under China. Its status is same as what Ireland has with England and Diego Garcia with USA. 

The exact location coordinates of the Mount Everest is agreed upon as 27°59'17" N or 27 degrees, 59 minutes and 17 seconds North of Equator in case of Latitude and 86°55'31" E or 86 degree, 55 minutes and 31 seconds in case of Longitude.

There are various ways to get there. The most preferred one is to get a direct flight to Kathmandu and move to the base camp from there. If you are in India and want to continue from there, then there are 3-4 inlets to Nepal. The most preffered one is via Raxaul (East Champaran District) in Bihar. Apart from that the ones via Sitamadhi in Bihar and Nepalgunj in Uttar Pradesh are also much traversed ways. From the China side there are quite a few passes, the most notable and the much traversed one is Renjo La that is situated at the height of 5465 meters. Other options are Cho La at 5420 meters and Kongma La at 5535 meters. There is only one entry from Bhutan and that is Lungu La pass.