Mount Everest - Facts About the Top of the World

Climbing Mount Everest, which is the world's tallest peak, is a monumental challenge that attracts adventurers from around the globe. Standing at a colossal 8,848.86 meters tall, Everest sits on the border between Nepal and the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. Every year, hundreds of climbers attempt to reach the summit, driven by the challenge of scaling and conquering the world's highest point. Of course the journey is far from simple or effortless, with many obstacles including extreme weather conditions, technical difficulties, costs and the risks of the notorious "Death Zone." In this post, we'll explore the critical details about Mount Everest—its location, climbing challenges, and the cost and risks involved in this un-equalled expedition.

Mount Everest is on the Asian continent, located in the Himalayan Mountain range, on the border between Nepal and the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. Its precise location is on the international boundary between the two countries, each with their own name for the great mountain. The mountain is known as Sagarmatha in Nepali and Chomolungma in Tibetan. Chomolungma’s translation is ‘Goddess Mother of the World’, a fanciful name. Sagarmatha’s translation is ‘Goddess of the sky’, equally angelic.

In short, the entire endeavour of climbing Mount Everest typically takes around two months. Which really highlights the great effort it takes. This includes time for acclimatization (something not needed for any of the British mountains), waiting for optimal weather, and rest periods. The push to reach the summit would usually take between 2 to 3 days depending on the condition if the climb.

Mount Everest stands at 8,848.86 metres or 29,031.7 feet above sea level, according to the latest measurement by China and Nepal in 2020. Though it's the tallest mountain on earth, it's only 237 metres taller than the 2nd tallest mountain, K2.

As of 2023, more than 6,000 people have successfully climbed Mount Everest. The number changes yearly with the climbing season, but it’s important to note that while many have summited, many have also attempted without success.

Approximately, over 10,000 people have attempted to climb Mount Everest. Which means that, with 6000+ people succeeding the climb, only around 60% to 70% of them reach the summit. Many attempts fail for reasons such as changes in weather conditions, exhaustion, and for some, mortifyingly, perishing during the climb.

Mount Everest sits on the border of two countries: Nepal and China (specifically Tibet). The southern route to the summit is from Nepal’s side, while the northern route is from Tibet.

The cost of climbing Mount Everest varies, but it can range from £25,000 to £80,000 depending on factors like the route, choice of climbing agency, and other services included. This cost will include permits, guides, equipment, insurance, and other logistics. So besides the great physical challenge climbing the mountain is, one reason for so few climbers is simply the monetary cost.

Over 300 people have died on Mount Everest. The majority of deaths happen due to avalanches, falls, altitude sickness, and exhaustion. The “Death Zone” which is at the 8,000 metre point, is particularly dangerous because of the lack of oxygen and extreme conditions.

Mount Everest earns its reputation as the tallest mountain in the world. However, it is also known for being deadly. One question every climber must ask themselves is not just, "How can I reach the top?" but "How can I ensure my survival?" If you're not able to fully assess and answer that question, then perhaps it's best to seek another of life's challenges elsewhere.

Craghoppers has a special connection to one of the most inspiring figures in mountaineering history, Junko Tabei, the first woman to summit Mount Everest, along with a number of other exceptional feats such as being the first woman to complete the 7 Summits. While she didn’t wear Craghoppers gear during her climb, she relied on our clothing, specifically our women’s hiking trousers, for the gruelling trek to the mountain. Tabei’s achievement was groundbreaking and is now historic, and her journey to Everest exemplified the resilience and determination needed for such an endeavour. Her story is a powerful reminder that every adventure, requires the right preparation, and the right gear.