How the Mountian Formed

Mt Everets, along with the other mountains in the Himalayas, was formed millions of years ago.   The mountains were formed when the Indian subcontinent collided with Asia.  When this happened, the stress on the tectonic plates was too much and it caused the land to rise above sea level forming the mountains.  While the Indian subcontinent was moving towards Asia, rivers washed rocks and soil onto the ocean floor, this eventually built up and formed even more pressure on the land. 

Getting Used to the Mountain

There are many climbers who dream of climbing Everest.  But the temprature is so cold, and the oxygen level is veryl low, its hard for you to get used to the mountain.  Here's how they do it.  On the first day, the climbers set up a camp at the base of the mountain.  For the next few days they climb up and down the mountain in order to let their bodies get used to the cold tempratures and the oxygen levels. When the climbers gradually move up the mountain, they set up camp at different levels.  These levels are: 

• Base Camp - 17,500ft
• Camp 1 - 20,000ft
• Camp 2 - 21,300ft
• Camp 3 - 24,000ft
• Camp 4 - 26,000ft
• Summit - 29,035ft

Naming the Mountain

Mt. Everest was named in 1773.  It's original name was Mt. Chomolungma, which first showed up on a map published by the French.  Everest has many names such as Chomolungma, the Tibetan name, Zhūmùlǎngmǎ Fēng, the Chinese name, and Deodungha, its Darjeeling name.  Finally, the Nepalese Government gave the mountain the name Sagarmāthā.  After all of the confusion of the naming, Sir George Everst named the mountain Everest.  In 2002, The Chinese People Daily published an article stating the English name for the mountain and insisted it was called by its Tibeten name.  Today, the famous mountain is known by many names.

All About Mt. Everest

Here are some interesting facts about Everest.  About 4,000 people have attempted to climb Mt. Everest, but only 660 have successfully climbed it.  in 1963, the first american reached the summit of Everest.  His name was Jim Whittaker.  In 1989, the first two women reach the top of Everest.  They were both Americans. 

Bottled Oxygen

If you attempt to climb Everest, you have to use bottled oxygen.  This is because the higher the mountain gets , the lower the oxygen level.  It is possible for you to climb Everest without using oxygen, but you would be at a higher risk of getting seriously injured or killed.  Bottled oxygen was first used by George Finch and Geoffry Bruce in 1922.  The two men climbed to 26,500 feet.  However, Reinhold Messer and Peter Habeler made the first successful climb without bottled oxygen in 1978.

1996: Mt. Everest Disaster

In 1996, 15 people died while climbing Everest.  This made 1996 the deadliest year on Everest.  Eight of the people who died died on May 11.  All of the deaths were caused by a horrible storm.  Many people who survived the climb wrot a book about their experience.  Mark Pfetze climed Everest during the horrible storm when he was only 16.  He wrote the book Within Reach: My Everest Story. 

In the Himalayas

Mt. Everest is part of the Himalayas.  The Himalayas separate the Indian subcontinent from the Tibetan Plateau.  The mountains in the Himalayas are; Mt. Everest, K2, Kanghenjunga, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, Nanga Parbat, Annapurna, Broad Peak, and many more.  The Himalayas is home to the world's tallest mountains, like Mt. Everest.  Many important rivers start in the Himalayas, like the Indus River. 

Death Zone

When you climb Mt. Everest, as you get higher and higher, you enter the death zone.  The death zone is where most of the deaths when climbing Everest occur. It is called the death zone because temperatures drop sub zero and this causes frost bite.  Also you can get injuries, or possibly die,by slipping on the icy patches all over the mountain.  High speed winds are also a threat to climbers.  Low atmospheric pressure is another threat, if not properly equipped, you can die from lack of oxygen.  Even at the base camp, oxygen levels are still low. 

Climbing Routes

Mt. Everest has two main climbing routes, the southeast ridge from Nepal and the northeast ridge from Tibet.  But the southeast ridge is used more often is said to be easier to climb.  In 1996, the southeast ridge was the first found route to the top out of the 15 that have been found today.  Other routes up Mt. Everest include the South Pillar, the Southwest Face, the East Face, the North Face, and the West Ridge.

History of Everest

Mt. Everest is the tallest mountain above sea level at 29,029 feet.  In 1856, the Great Trigonometric Survey of British India created the first published height of Everest.  This peak was known as Peak XV at 29,002 feet above sea level.  In 1865, Everest was given its official English name by the Royal Geographical Society.  There were also very many attempts to climb Everest.  In 1885, Clinton Thomas Dent said that climbing Everest was possible.  He stated this in his book he wrote called Above the Snow Line.  The first ever attempt to climb Everest was by George Mallery in 1921.