Mount Everest is the highest peak on the planet, and its height and remoteness have contributed to the mysticism and allure surrounding it. While most people have heard of the challenges and dangers of scaling this imposing mountain, there are some lesser-known facts that are equally intriguing. In this article, we explore ten surprising facts about Mount Everest that you probably didn’t know.
1. The First Woman to Summit Everest was Japanese
In 1975, Junko Tabei became the first woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest. She was part of an all-female team that defied gender stereotypes and achieved what was considered an impossible feat just a few years earlier.
2. A Sherpa Holds the Record for Most Summits
A Sherpa named Kami Rita has summited Mount Everest 22 times, which is the current record for the most climbs. He began his career as a guide in 1994 and has since helped many climbers achieve their dream of reaching the top.
3. The Orange Hillary Step is No More
The Hillary Step was a challenging section near the summit that required climbers to ascend a vertical rock face. In 2017, an earthquake caused the rocky outcrop to collapse, and it’s now considered a part of history.
4. Oxygen was First Used on Everest in 1922
The first climbers to use supplemental oxygen on Mount Everest were George Mallory and Guy Bullock in 1922. This was a controversial move at the time, but it’s now a common practice among climbers.
5. Yeti Footprints have Been Discovered Near Everest
The legendary Yeti, also known as the Abominable Snowman, has been a subject of fascination for many years. Footprints purportedly belonging to this creature have been found near Everest, but experts believe they were left by other animals.
6. Death Zone is Above 8000 Meters
The “death zone” on Everest refers to altitudes above 8,000 meters, where the thin air and low oxygen levels can be fatal. Climbers spend minimal time in this zone to avoid altitude sickness and hypoxia.
7. Junko Tabei was also the First Woman to Summit All 7 Continents
After her historic Everest climb, Junko Tabei went on to achieve another remarkable feat. She summited the highest peak on each of the seven continents, becoming the first woman to do so.
8. The Nepali Name for Everest is Sagarmatha
The mountain’s official Nepali name is Sagarmatha, which means “goddess of the sky” in the local language. The Tibetan name is Chomolungma, meaning “mother of the world.”
9. Climbers on Everest Produce a Lot of Waste
Climbers on Everest produce a considerable amount of waste each year, including human waste and discarded equipment. Recent cleanup efforts have focused on reducing this impact and preserving the mountain’s natural beauty.
10. The Tallest Building in the World is Shorter than Everest
The tallest building in the world currently is the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, which stands at 828 meters tall. This is impressive, but it’s still shorter than the height of Mount Everest, which stands at 8,848 meters.
In conclusion, while Mount Everest has been a subject of fascination for many years, there are still many surprising facts that most people don’t know. From the first woman to summit the peak to the amount of waste generated by climbers, it’s clear that there’s much more to this mountain than meets the eye. With ongoing conservation efforts and increasing awareness of the challenges of climbing, we hope to preserve this natural wonder for generations to come.
