Mount Everest

Mount Everest rises from the Mahalangur Himal range of the central Himalaya, straddling Nepal and the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. Its summit reaches approximately 8,849 meters, the highest point on Earth. Jagged ridges funnel glaciers toward the Khumbu Valley in Nepal and the Rongbuk Valley in Tibet. The mountain's Tibetan name, Chomolungma, means "Goddess Mother of the World," while the Nepali name Sagarmatha means "Peak of Heaven."

Everest formed as the Indian tectonic plate collided with the Eurasian plate over tens of millions of years, pushing marine limestone skyward. The region still rises a few millimeters each year. Weather remains unpredictable: winter jet streams produce 160-kilometer-per-hour winds, and summer monsoons drop heavy snow, increasing avalanche danger. Climbers typically attempt ascents in spring or autumn when windows of calmer weather open.

Sherpa and Tibetan communities have guided the earliest expeditions and continue to fix ropes, carry loads, and perform high-altitude rescues. The south route from Nepal climbs through the Khumbu Icefall, Western Cwm, Lhotse Face, South Col, and the Hillary Step before reaching the summit. The north route from Tibet traverses the Rongbuk Glacier, North Col, and Northeast Ridge. Supplemental oxygen, acclimatization rotations, and strict planning help human bodies cope with the notorious "death zone" above 8,000 meters, where oxygen levels are roughly one-third of those at sea level.

Climate change and tourism create new challenges. Warming temperatures shrink glaciers, exposing crevasses and altering icefalls. Increased expeditions generate waste that must be removed to protect fragile ecosystems. Nepal and China issue permits, limit the number of climbers, and require expedition cleanup deposits. Nonprofit groups, Sherpa-led organizations, and park rangers collect trash, rebuild trails, and educate visitors about Leave No Trace principles. Scientists install weather stations on the mountain to monitor high-altitude climate trends.

Everest's surrounding national parks protect wildlife, including snow leopards, musk deer, Himalayan tahr, blood pheasants, and alpine plants such as rhododendrons and junipers. Monasteries like Tengboche serve as cultural centers where monks bless climbers before expeditions. Trekkers hike to Everest Base Camp for panoramic views, while virtual reality programs and documentaries share the peak's story with people who cannot travel there. Guides emphasize respectful tourism that supports local economies, funds education, and preserves Sherpa heritage.