Home » 55 Interesting Facts About Mount Everest

55 Interesting Facts About Mount Everest

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to stand on the highest point on Earth?

Mount Everest is more than just a tall mountain. It is full of surprises, challenges, and stories that few people know.

If you’re curious about its size, its history, or the people who climb it, you’re about to learn some cool and surprising things.

This blog covers interesting facts about Mount Everest. Get ready for what makes this mountain so special!

Physical Features of Mount Everest

1. Mount Everest is 29,032 feet (8,849 meters) tall. This makes it the highest point on Earth, towering above all other mountains.

2. The mountain grows taller by about 4 millimeters each year due to plate movement. This ongoing process means Everest is still getting higher as time passes.

3. Mount Everest is so high that climbers can see the jet stream winds blowing clouds far above other mountains.

4. Everest is part of the Himalaya mountain range, which contains several of the world’s tallest peaks and forms a natural border between countries.

5. The mountain is located on the border between Nepal and Tibet, which has led to disputes over its exact height over the years.

6. Its official Nepali name is Sagarmatha, meaning Forehead of the Sky. This name shows how the peak seems to touch the heavens.

7. In Tibet, it’s called Chomolungma, meaning “Goddess Mother of the World.” This name shows the mountain’s spiritual importance to local people.

8. The temperature at the summit can drop to -60°F (-51°C). These extreme cold conditions make staying at the top for long periods impossible.

9. Wind speeds on Everest can reach over 100 mph (160 km/h). These powerful gusts can blow climbers off the mountain in seconds.

10. The southern side of Everest belongs to Nepal. This route is more popular with climbers due to its slightly easier access.

11. The northern side belongs to Tibet (China). This route was the one used in early attempts to climb the mountain.

12. At the summit, oxygen levels drop to less than a third of sea level, so little that each breath feels like it’s barely helping.

Climbing History

13. Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay first reached the summit on May 29, 1953. Their success came after many failed attempts by other teams.

14. The mountain was named after Sir George Everest, a British surveyor. He never actually saw the mountain that bears his name.

15. The first woman to climb Everest was Junko Tabei in 1975. She broke barriers for female climbers around the world with her achievement.

16. Kami Rita Sherpa has surpassed 26 ascents; as of May 2025, he holds the record with 31 1successful summits.

17. The youngest person to reach the top was Jordan Romero, at age 13. His youth sparked debate about age limits for Everest climbers.

18. The oldest person was Yuichiro Miura, who climbed at age 80. He proved that age need not be a barrier with proper training and determination.

19. As of 2024, the total number of successful summits is over 11,000. The number continues to rise annually.

20. During peak season, overcrowding near the summit creates long lines of climbers waiting to ascend or descend. In 2019, these delays led to several deaths due to a lack of oxygen.

21. Falling is a leading cause, but avalanches have caused slightly more deaths historically, followed by falls, altitude sickness, and exposure

22. May is the most popular month for climbing attempts. This period offers the best weather conditions before the summer monsoon season.

23. Due to the thin air, most climbers use bottled oxygen. Without it, mental function declines rapidly at high altitudes.

Unusual Records Facts

24. The fastest ascent from base camp took just 10 hours and 56 minutes. Most climbers take days or weeks to complete the same journey.

25. A helicopter once landed on the summit in 2005. This feat of flying skill has not been repeated since then.

26. The first blind person to reach the top was Erik Weihenmayer in 2001. His achievement shows that determination can overcome seemingly impossible odds.

27. A couple got married at the summit in 2005. Their wedding was surely the highest-altitude ceremony on Earth.

28. The first tweet from the summit was sent in 2011, showing how technology now reaches even the most remote places.

29. The longest time spent at the summit is 21 hours. Due to the danger and physical strain, most climbers stay only minutes.

30. In 2008, Olympic torchbearers carried a specially designed torch to the summit of Everest before the Beijing Games.

31. The first phone call from the summit was made in 1999. Before that, radio was the only way to communicate from the top.

32. Some climbers have skied down parts of the mountain. This extreme sport adds even more risk to an already dangerous activity.

Climbing Costs and Facts

33. The permit fee is currently $11,000, but Nepal will raise it to $15,000 starting September 2025. The fee does contribute to local government revenue and mountain management.

34. A full climbing trip costs between $30,000 and $100,000. This high price makes it a sport mostly for the wealthy or those with sponsors.

35. Most climbers hire local Sherpas as guides. These skilled mountain people know the routes better than anyone else.

36. Climbing Everest takes about two months. Much of this time is spent waiting for good weather and getting used to the altitude.

37. Climbers spend weeks at base camp adjusting to the altitude. This slow process helps prevent serious altitude sickness at higher altitudes.

38. On the route to the summit, four camps are set up. Each one serves as a resting point and emergency shelter.

39. Many climbers turn back just a few hundred feet from the top. Knowing when to quit can mean the difference between life and death.

40. The normal climbing path has fixed ropes to help climbers. These ropes create a highway of sorts that most people follow to the top.

Odd Facts and Issues

41. Over 50 tons of trash have been removed from the mountain since 2019, and cleanup efforts continue as more climbers leave waste behind.

42. More than 200 climbers have perished on Everest. The extreme cold preserves their bodies, which often serve as landmarks for future expeditions.

43. Cell phone service now exists on parts of the mountain, allowing climbers to stay in touch with their teams and families.

44. Climbers burn up to 20,000 calories during the climb, often leading to a 10–20 pound weight loss due to intense physical strain and limited food intake.

45. Some areas of the climb are known as “death zones.” Above 26,000 feet, the human body begins to shut down due to a lack of oxygen.

46. Microplastics have been found near the summit. Even this remote place is not free from human pollution.

47. The mountain is home to the highest-living spider in the world. These tiny creatures survive where humans can barely breathe.

48. Melting snow due to climate change is revealing more bodies. This sad process is bringing closure to some families after many years.

49. A small post office operates at the Everest Base Camp. Climbers can send postcards from one of the most remote mail stops on Earth.

50. You can run a marathon to Everest Base Camp. This extreme race tests runners with thin air and rough terrain.

51. Some of the climbers who died on the mountain have become well-known to other climbers, given nicknames like “Green Boots” and “Sleeping Beauty” due to their appearance.

52. The highest-placed item for sale is a can of soda at 24,600 feet. This might be the most expensive drink you’ll ever buy.

53. Due to tectonic activity, Mount Everest shifts slightly northeast by about 2.4 inches (6 cm) each year. So it’s not just growing vertically, it’s also on the move horizontally.

54. The first 3G internet connection on the summit was set up in 2010. Now climbers can share their achievements online right from the top.

55. Yaks can carry supplies but only to about 18,000 feet in altitude. Above this level, human porters must take over the heavy loads.