17 Interesting Facts About Mount Everest

Last Updated: February 25, 2025

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Key Takeaways

Fact	Overview
Height	Mount Everest stands at 8,848.86m (29,031.7ft) above sea level, confirmed in 2020.
Peak Temperature	Everest temperatures drop as low as -60°C (-76°F), with harsh winter and summit conditions.
Everest Once Underwater	Marine fossils found on Everest prove it was once submerged under an ancient sea.
Age	Everest formed around 60 million years ago due to tectonic collisions and continues to rise.
Original Name	Before being named Everest, it was known as 'Peak XV' by British surveyors.
Traditional Names	Everest is called 'Qomolangma' in Tibet and 'Sagarmatha' in Nepal, reflecting cultural significance.
Time to Summit	It takes about 60 days to climb Everest due to acclimatization and altitude challenges.
Sherpas	Sherpas carry up to 146% of their body weight, demonstrating extreme endurance and adaptation.

We would like to thank our enthusiasts for appreciating our previous stories about Everest. Today we are sharing 17 interesting facts about Mount Everest.

Mount Everest has long captured our collective imagination with its towering peaks, untamed beauty, and tales of human resilience. Below are 17 facts, each shedding light on the mountain’s immense mystique, from its geological origins beneath an ancient ocean to the poignant stories of climbers who left their mark on the roof of the world.

1. Mount Everest Is the Highest Mountain Above Sea Level

Mount Everest stands at 8,848.86 meters (29,031.7 feet) above sea level, as confirmed by a 2020 survey by Nepal and China. Previously measured at 8,840 meters in 1856 and then 8,848 meters in 1955, this incredible summit height wasn’t fully agreed upon until the two governments reached consensus in 2020.

Despite earlier controversies over the exact measurement, Everest’s place as the tallest peak above sea level has never truly been in doubt. This impressive height ensures it remains a magnetic landmark for explorers from across the globe.

2. It Used to Be Under the Ocean

In 1924, researcher Noel Odell discovered aquatic fossils on Mount Everest, indicating that its summit was once beneath an ancient sea. Limestone and sandstone found near the top formed roughly 450 million years ago under ocean waters.

These discoveries mean you can literally hold marine fossils at heights far above the clouds, showcasing Earth’s incredible geological shifts. It’s a remarkable reminder of the planet’s continual evolution.

3. Mount Everest Is Around 60 Million Years Old

Scientists estimate that the Himalayan range, including Mount Everest, took shape around 60 million years ago when the Indian tectonic plate collided with Asia. The lighter rocks were thrust upward, forging the mountain’s massive summit.

This collision continues today, causing Everest to rise slightly each year. Though minuscule (about four millimeters annually), this upward growth highlights the planet’s persistent and powerful geologic processes.

4. It Was Once Called “Peak XV”

Before the mountain was known worldwide as Mount Everest, British surveyors referred to it as “Peak XV.” Sir George Everest, Surveyor General of India, never actually saw the mountain that now bears his name.

After re-measurement in 1856, Andrew Scott Waugh proposed naming the peak in honor of his predecessor. Ironically, the correct family pronunciation was “Eve-rest,” but the mountain’s global renown cemented the more common “Ever-est” instead.

5. Everest Also Has Tibetan and Nepalese Names

Everest is known in Tibet as “Qomolangma,” which translates to “Goddess Mother of the Earth.” In Nepal, it is called “Sagarmatha,” meaning “forehead of the sky” or “peak of heaven.”

These traditional names reflect deep cultural reverence for the mountain, which straddles the border between Nepal and Tibet (China). Each name weaves a rich tapestry of beliefs and customs around this legendary summit.

6. Reaching the Summit Takes About 60 Days

On average, a full climb from base camp to Everest’s summit can stretch over two months. This extended timeframe is largely due to acclimatization, as climbers must gradually adjust to the thin air to prevent altitude sickness.

Even with careful pacing, exhaustion is a constant threat. The lengthy process underscores how conquering Everest is not just about skill, it’s also about patience and respect for the mountain’s harsh conditions.

7. Sherpas Carry an Astonishing 146% of Their Body Weight

Sherpas, an ethnic group native to high-altitude regions, have extraordinary endurance and stamina. Studies show that, on the way to Mount Everest, Nepalese porters often carry loads equaling 146% of their own body weight.

Their secret? Moving slowly and taking frequent breaks, relying on thousands of years of adaptation to the Himalayas. Sherpas are integral to the Everest climbing tradition, guiding expeditions and ensuring crucial support for summit attempts.

8. First Conquered by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay

On May 29, 1953, New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay became the first people recorded to reach Everest’s summit. Their triumph marked a defining moment in mountaineering history.

This legendary climb remains an inspiration for countless adventurers who follow. It also highlighted the vital role Sherpas have long played in exploration, an enduring partnership of local knowledge and global ambition.

9. “Sleeping Beauty Everest” Refers to Francys Arsentiev

Francys Arsentiev, known poignantly as “Sleeping Beauty Everest,” was the first American woman to summit Everest without supplemental oxygen. Tragically, she died in 1998 during her descent.

Her calm, peaceful appearance after death gave rise to the haunting nickname. Over time, the story of “Sleeping Beauty” has become a somber reminder of Everest’s unforgiving nature and the stark realities of high-altitude climbing.

10. “Green Boots Everest” Is a Grim Trail Marker

“Green Boots” is the moniker given to the unidentified climber, believed to be Tsewang Paljor, whose brightly colored footwear became an infamous landmark near Everest’s summit.

For years, climbers would pass the body in a small limestone alcove. Though it was eventually moved out of sight, the name “Green Boots Everest” remains a symbol of the dangers lurking on the mountain’s icy slopes.

11. How Many People Have Climbed Mount Everest?

As of 2023, there have been more than 11,000 successful summits of Mount Everest, carried out by around 6,000 different individuals. Some climbers have made multiple ascents.

Despite the dangers, Everest’s allure grows each year. The mountain’s summit stands as a dream many continue to chase, even as the risks, including altitude sickness, avalanches, and extreme weather, remain formidable.

12. The North Face Everest Route Is Highly Challenging

While most climbers opt for the southern route through Nepal, the North Face Everest trail in Tibet (China) is renowned for its harsher conditions and technical difficulty.

Biting winds, lower temperatures, and grueling terrain keep this route less traveled. Even so, seasoned mountaineers are often drawn to it, seeking the ultimate challenge that Everest’s “other side” offers.

13. Mount Everest Temperature Can Plunge to -60°C

Now let's talk about Mount Everest's temperature. In January, the coldest month, average temperatures at the summit hover around -36°C. However, the mercury can drop to an extreme -60°C (-76°F).

Even during the climbing season (April-May), temperatures rarely rise above -20°C at the peak. Proper gear, physical preparedness, and cautious planning become lifesaving measures in such intense cold.

14. The “Death Zone” Above 8,000 Meters

Any area above 8,000 meters on Everest is known as the “Death Zone.” Oxygen is scarce, temperatures plummet, and survival without supplemental oxygen is perilous for extended periods.

Most recorded Everest fatalities occur here. Climbers must time their final summit push strategically, balancing speed and safety to reduce exposure to the extreme conditions of this lethal altitude band.

15. More Than 330 People Have Lost Their Lives on Everest

Everest’s harsh environment has claimed hundreds of lives, over 330 mountaineers to date. Common causes include altitude sickness, exhaustion, avalanches, and falls.

Recovering bodies in these conditions is often impractical and dangerous, leaving many to rest in place. Tragically, some deceased climbers become unofficial waypoints for those attempting the ascent.

16. Commercialization and Crowding

The Nepalese Tourism Office issued 454 climbing licenses in a recent season, an all-time high that surpasses previous records. This surge has led to “traffic jams” at critical choke points near the summit.

Expeditions also bring waste, often referred to as making Everest the “highest garbage dump in the world.” Strict regulations now require each climber to bring back at least eight kilograms of trash. These measures aim to preserve the mountain’s fragile beauty.

 17. Everest Is Still Rising

Though Everest has reigned as the tallest mountain above sea level for decades, it hasn’t stopped growing. Tectonic plate collisions under the Himalayas add a few millimeters to its height each year.

While gradual, this geological push ensures Everest’s story is far from static. Each subtle rise reflects an ever-shifting landscape, symbolizing the planet’s dynamic spirit and our enduring fascination with the world’s most iconic peak.

FAQs

What’s the official height of Mount Everest?

It’s officially 29,031.7 feet (8,848.86 meters), as confirmed by Nepal and China in 2020.

Who first reached the summit?

Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa accomplished the first successful ascent on May 29, 1953.

Is Everest truly the highest mountain?

Above sea level, yes. But from base to peak, Hawaii’s Mauna Kea is taller at 10,210 meters, though only 4,207 meters rise above sea level.

How long does a typical climb take?

Reaching the summit typically takes around 60 days, including time for slow acclimatization to prevent altitude sickness.

Final Thought

Mount Everest continues to stand as a testament to the raw power of nature and the indomitable spirit of those who dare to venture into its heights. From “Sleeping Beauty Everest” to “Green Boots Everest,” from the frigid “Death Zone” to the relentless North Face Everest climb, every story on this mountain speaks of triumph and tragedy.

Whether you’re intrigued by “how many people have climbed Mount Everest” or fascinated by the unforgiving “mount Everest temperature,” one thing is certain: the legacy of Everest will keep beckoning explorers and dreamers for generations to come.