The highest mountain in the world is Everest (Jomalungma). Description and photo

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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 highest 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.

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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 local residents died while trying to conquer the highest peak in the world (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 for their services is about $ 60,000. The cost of a VIP-level expedition, which includes constant Internet access and telephone communication, 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 in the 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 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).

Story

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 small nation is the 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 to the highest peak of the Earth comes from the name of the discoverer. Prior to that, in different countries, the summit was called 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, who were previously engaged 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 Sherpa carriers, since transport links in this region are not possible. 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. A large group of experts and assistants are also required 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. And yet two completely different people, Sir Edmund Hillary and Nepalese climber Tenzing Norgay, jointly made the first successful ascent to the summit from the south side and finally managed to find themselves where no man's foot had ever gone 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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Since Sir Edmund Hillary reached the summit of Mount Everest in 1953, thousands of climbers have been eager to repeat his feat. With the impressive title of “the tallest mountain in the world,” Everest has been visited by so many people that every year this Himalayan beauty gradually turns into literally a garbage dump.

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

When we say which is the tallest 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). It is a stratovolcano in Ecuador, which is part of the Andes mountain range.

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 taller than other areas of the planet. And it so happened 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.

Hardest mountain for climbers

According to one report, Everest stretches 6382 meters from the center of the Earth. At the same time, Chimborazo stretches over a distance of 6384 meters. Although the difference in height between the two mountains is only 2 km, this is enough to transfer the title "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 climbing.

If you are a climber and want to test yourself by conquering Everest, then the way to the base camp will take 10 days. It will take another six weeks to acclimatize, and then the summit will take nine days. On the other hand, acclimatization at Chimborazo takes about two weeks, and the way 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 top, then the honor of being called the highest mountain belongs to White Mountain (Mauna Kea) on the island of Hawaii. Its height above sea level is 4,205 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 the height of Everest.

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

The top of the mountain is a paradise for astronomers: It has low humidity, clear skies above it, and a great distance from any light pollution. That is, from the top of the volcano, perhaps the best view of celestial objects opens up. Currently, there are 13 telescopes at the peak of Mauna Kea.

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

Highest mountains on every 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 - Vinson Massif (4,897 meters).

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

Top 10 tallest 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 (the height of a mountain peak above the bottom of the valley closest to the mountain). Considering first of all this criterion, and secondly the height above sea level, we have compiled a rating of the highest points of the Earth.

Topographic elevation - 4,741 m.

It rises above sea level by 5,642 m.

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.

The excess is 4 884 m.

Height - 4 884 m.

This mountain, located on the Australian plate on the island of New Guinea, originally bore the name of the 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, in Jaya (in Indonesian for Victory), and this was stopped for now.

The excess is 4 892 m.

The height of the summit is 4 892 m.

Record holders of Antarctica and part of the Ellsworth Mountains, which rise above the Ronne Ice Shelf.

Elevation - 4 922 m

Altitude according to GPS data - 5636 m, according to INEGI data - 5611 m.

Stratovolcano, the highest mountain in Mexico and the third largest in North America. Orizaba last erupted in 1687, after which it "fell asleep" and does not wake up to this day.

Topographic elevation - 5 250 m

Height above sea level - 5 959 m.

The tallest mountain in Canada and the second in North America, after McKinley. Due to the active tectonic uplift, Logan is still growing in height. Until 1992, the exact height of the mountain was unknown and was assumed to be in the range from 5,959 to 6,050 meters. In May 1992, a 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 to it in height. Together they are the two closest peaks of the country to the stars.

Topographic elevation - 5,885 m.

Above sea level - 5,895 m.

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

Topographic elevation - 6 144 m

Height above sea level - 6 190 m

The two-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 the 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 the Americas. 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 mountaineer, 12-year-old Romanian Dor Jeta Popescu.

1. Mount Everest (Chomolungma)

Topographic elevation - 8 848 m.

Height above sea level - 8 848 m.

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

Where is the tallest mountain in the world

Chomolungma 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 (UK) was the first climber to attempt the Everest storm. In 1924, he died near the summit and his remains were found only in 1999, but the body of his partner in the ligament, 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 highest (by venue) concert.

Despite being named “the tallest peak on Earth,” Everest is not the tallest mountain on the planet. That is, in terms of altitude, Everest has no equal. But as for the height from the base to the top, then Mauna Kea in Hawaii, USA holds the palm. Its visible part is 4,205 meters, and everything else is under water. The total height of Mauna Kea reaches 10,203 meters.

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 are the geographical coordinates of 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 collided with the Eurasian plate, or rather, the southern edge of 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).

As for the official name, the proposal to name the mountain in honor of George Everest, who at one time led the British Geodetic Survey in India, was introduced 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 temperatures 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, the 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 it were not for the endurance of the Sherpas, their qualifications and experience, who knows how well the Himalayan mountains would have been explored, and with them 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 of the 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 the fault is not only oxygen starvation and extreme weather conditions, 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 instance:

• 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 to Chomolungma (at the same time, traffic jams and fights between tourists were recorded).

Global warming

Global warming definitely could not but affect the highest mountain in 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 - the highest mountain on our planet - rises among the eternal snows of the Himalayas at an altitude of 8,848 meters above sea level and is located on the border of Nepal and China. The summit itself lies on the territory of China (Tibet). The peak of Everest is crowned by the Main Himalayan Range.

In 1832, British Geodetic Surveyors in India, processing surveys of a number of Himalayan peaks, discovered that the mountain, listed as "Peak XV", is the highest in the region and probably in the entire world. The open summit was named by them in honor of the head of the geodetic service, Sir George Everest (pronunciation in the correct transcription: "I-ver-ist"). It is this name of the mountain that has become the most popular all over the world. In Tibet, she is called Chomolungma - "Mother Goddess of Life." In Nepal, the mountain is called Sagarmatha - "Mother of the Gods".

Sometimes Everest is called the third pole of the earth, because its climate is no less, and even more extreme and severe than at the poles. The temperature at the summit never rises above 0 ° C. The average temperature in January is -36 ° C and can drop to -60 ° C, and in July -19 ° C (for comparison, at the North Pole in January -40 ° C, in July - about 0 ° C). The wind speed at the top can be up to 200 km / h. In addition, the oxygen content in the rarefied atmosphere at an altitude above 8000 meters is three times less than at sea level. If the North and South poles were reached at the beginning of the twentieth century (the North, according to various sources - in 1908-1909, the South - in 1911), then Everest remained unconquered until the middle of the twentieth century (1953).

Everest is not easy to see even from afar, as it is lost in remote areas of the Himalayas and is obscured by other peaks. To only see the highest peak in the world, you need to walk a relatively long distance and climb one of the nearby peaks. On the Nepalese side, Everest is hidden behind two high mountains - Nuptse (7879 m) and Lhotse (8516 m), so in order to see Everest well enough, you need to climb Mount Kala Pattar (5545 m) or Gokyo Ri (5483 m), from the peaks which offers a good view of the top of the world.

Everest has the shape of a triangular pyramid, which is clearly visible from an airplane.

The southern slope of the summit is steeper. Glaciers flow down from the massif in all directions, ending at an altitude of about 5000 m. On the southern slope and edges of the pyramid, snow and ice are not retained, as a result of which they are exposed.

Attempts to conquer Everest began in 1921. Since that time, for 32 years, climbers from different countries have made fifteen attempts to conquer the "third pole". And only the sixteenth of them were crowned with victory. The last assault camp of Colonel John Hunt's expedition was pushed to the very top and was at an altitude of 8500 meters. It was listed at number 9 - the ninth intermediate camp on the way from the bottom to the top. On May 29, 1953, at 11:30 a.m. New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay for the first time (according to the official version) stood at an altitude of 8848 meters - the highest peak in the world. There is another version, according to which the participants of the third expedition could ascend Everest first.

Now, annually, teams from all over the world gather under the southern and northern slopes of Everest, usually 300-500 people. Each of them is obsessed with a dream - to conquer the most famous peak on earth. For many of them, climbing Mount Everest, without exaggeration, becomes the main goal of life. And all of them, without exception, will have to withstand the extreme conditions of the "third pole".

The best time to climb Mount Everest is early May. The southeastern ridge, located in Nepal, is called the South Col route, and the northeastern ridge, the North Col, begins in Tibet. These are the two most popular climbing routes. For the first time, people climbed Everest from the south.

To the foot of the mountain from the North side you will have to get to the base camp by jeeps, and then by yaks to the advanced base camp at an altitude of 6400 meters.

The ascent of the climber to the summit of Everest takes about 2 months. It is a constant "shuttle" up and down many times. Up - for acclimatization, setting up intermediate camps, fixing the ropes in difficult areas. Down - for rest and for a new consignment. They usually go to the top one by one - each for himself, relying only on his own strength. The last, decisive assault day of the climber lasts an average of 15-20 hours. At the same time, after climbing, climbers lose on average 10-15 kg of their own weight, or even more.

Climbing Mount Everest is expensive. Only a permit for a group of 20 to climb from the Tibet side costs $ 5,500, and from the Nepal side - $ 50,000 for a team of 7.

The history of climbing Mount Everest is full of both records and tragic events. Over the more than 60-year history of the conquest of Everest, over six thousand climbers have ascended the summit, of which 140 are Russians. Over the same years, the rebellious mountain did not let back more than 200 of its fans.

Or Everest or Sagarmatha - the highest mountain in the world. Yes, Chomolungma and Everest are one and the same.

Do not know, where is Chomolungma located? We inform you the mountain is part of the Mahalangur-Himal ridge in the Himalayan mountain system, on the border of Nepal and Tibet. However, its very top is located in China. Near Everest there are several more mountains higher than 7 kilometers - Changse, including another eight-thousander - Lhotse.

Mount Chomolungma (Everest) - height and facts

The height of Everest is 8,848 meters, with the last 4 meters of solid ice. Chomolungma is "built" by nature in the form of a three-sided pyramid, the southern slope is steeper. Glaciers flow down from the massif in all directions, ending at an altitude of about 5 km. Mount Chomolungma partly part of the Nepalese Sagarmatha National Park. At the top of Chomolungma there are strong winds blowing at a speed of up to 200 km / h.

Never rises above zero. The average in January is -36 ° C, but can drop to -60 at night. In July, the air warms up to -19.

And here is where Chomolungma is located on the map.

Mount Chomolungma: the history of the name

Translated from Tibetan "Chomolungma" means "Divine (qomo) Mother (ma) of life (lung - wind or life force)", named after the Bon goddess Sherab Chamma.

From Nepalese the name of the peak "Sagarmatha" means "Mother of the gods".

The English name it received Chomolungma - Everest(Mount Everest) awarded in honor of Sir George Everest, head of the British India Survey in 1830-1843. This name was proposed in 1856 by George Everest's successor, Andrew Waugh, simultaneously with the publication of the results of his collaborator Radhanat Sikdar, who in 1852 first measured the height of "Peak XV" and showed that it is the highest in the whole world.

Everest: a history of ascents

The first ascent of Chomolungma was made on May 29, 1953 by Sherpa Tenzing Norgay and New Zealander Edmund Hillary through the South Col. They used oxygen devices.

In subsequent years, climbers from different countries of the world - China, USA, India, Japan, Italy - joined the conquest of the mountain.

Spring 1975 Chomolungma, photo which you look further, is first stormed by a women's expedition. The first woman to conquer Chomolungma was the Japanese climber Junko Tabei (1976). The first Polish woman and the first European to climb the summit was Wanda Rutkiewicz (1978). The first Russian woman to reach the top was Ekaterina Ivanova (1990).

In May 1982, 11 members of the Soviet expedition of climbers conquered Everest, climbing the previously considered impassable southwestern slope, and 2 ascents were made at night. Prior to that, none of the climbers who were part of the expedition had climbed more than 7.6 km.

In subsequent years, climbers from Great Britain, Nepal, USA, South Korea, Austria and other countries climbed Everest again along the classic path of first ascents.

As a rule, it is conquered by climbers in oxygen masks. At an altitude of 8 km, the air is thin, and it is very difficult to breathe. The first to reach the summit without oxygen were the Italian Reinhold Messner and the German Peter Habeler in 1978.

Flights over Everest

In 2001, a French couple, Bertrand and Claire Bernier, flew down from the summit in a tandem glider.

In May 2004, Italian Angelo D'Arrigo, for the first time in the history of aeronautics, made a hang-glider flight over the top of the highest mountain in the world.

On May 14, 2005, test pilot Didier Delsalle successfully landed a Eurocopter AS 350 Ecureuil helicopter on the top of the mountain. This was the first such landing.

In 2008, 3 paratroopers landed on the summit, jumping out of an airplane flying at an altitude of just under 9 km (142 m above the highest point of the mountain).

Chomolungma and ski slopes

The first attempt to descend from the summit by means of alpine skiing was made in 1969 by the Japanese Miura. It didn't end as he planned; Miura almost fell into the abyss, but miraculously managed to escape and survived.

In 1992, a French skier, Pierre Tardevelle, skied down the slope of Everest. He left the southern summit, located at an altitude of 8571 m, and covered 3 km in 3 hours.

After 4 years, the Italian skier Hans Kammerlander descended from a height of 6400 m along the northern slope.

In 1998, Frenchman Cyril Desremo made the first descent from the summit on a snowboard.

In 2000, Slovenian Davo Karnichar left Chomolungma on alpine skiing.

Climbing Everest: cemetery and corpses on the mountain

Since the first ascent to the summit in 1953, it has become a cemetery for more than 200 people. The bodies of the dead often remain on the slopes of the mountain due to the difficulties associated with their evacuation. Some of them serve as a guide for climbers. The most common causes of death: lack of oxygen, heart failure, frostbite, avalanches.

Even the most expensive and modern equipment does not always guarantee a successful ascent to the highest peak in the world. Nevertheless, an average of about 500 people try to conquer Chomolungma every year. The total number exceeded 3000 people.

The ascent to the summit takes about 2 months - with acclimatization and the installation of camps. Weight loss after climbing is an average of 10-15 kilograms. The main season for climbing Mount Everest is spring and autumn, as there are no monsoons at this time. Spring is considered the most suitable season for climbing the southern and northern slopes. In the fall, you can only climb from the south.

Currently, a significant part of the ascents are organized by specialized companies and are made as part of commercial groups. Clients of these companies pay for the services of guides who provide the necessary training, provide equipment and, as far as possible, ensure safety along the entire route.

The cost of all-inclusive climbing (equipment, transport, guides, porters, etc.) is on average from 40 to 80 thousand US dollars, and the only one permit for climbing, issued by the government of Nepal, costs from 10 to 25 thousand dollars per person (depending on the size of the group). The cheapest way to conquer Chomolungma is from Tibet.

A significant proportion of the hikers reaching the summit are now wealthy hikers with minimal mountaineering experience.

According to experts, the success of the expedition directly depends on the weather and equipment. Climbing Everest continues to be a serious challenge for everyone, regardless of their level of preparation.

Acclimatization before climbing Mount Everest plays an essential role. A typical expedition from the south takes up to two weeks to climb from Kathmandu to the Chomolungma base camp at an altitude of 5364 meters, and it takes another month to acclimatize to the altitude before the first attempt to ascend the summit.

The most difficult part of climbing Everest is the last 300 meters, nicknamed by climbers "the longest mile on Earth." To successfully pass this section, you need to overcome a steep, smooth stone slope covered with powdery snow. The conquest of Chogori is considered no less difficult.

Chomolungma (Everest) and ecology

The number of tourists visiting the mountain (not the summit) from Nepal and Tibet over the past ten years has numbered in the hundreds of thousands. The volume of garbage accumulated on the slopes of the mountain is so great that Chomolungma (Everest) is "the highest landfill in the world." According to ecologists, after the conquerors, an average of 3 kg of garbage is left for each.

Mount Chomolungma photo: