MOUNT EVEREST

Mount Everest

Mount Everest (also known in Nepal as Sagarmatha and in Tibet as Qomolangma) is the Earth's highest mountain. It is located in the Mahalangur section of the Himalayas. 

Its peak is 8,848 metres (29,029 ft) above sea level[1] and is the 5th furthest point from the center of the Earth.[6] The international border between China and Nepal 

runs across the precise summit point. Its massif includes neighboring peaks Lhotse, 8,516 m (27,940 ft); Nuptse, 7,855 m (25,771 ft) and Changtse, 7,580 m (24,870 ft).

In 1856, the Great Trigonometric Survey of India established the first published height of Everest, then known as Peak XV, at 29,002 ft (8,840 m). The current official 

height of 8,848 m (29,029 ft) as recognized by Nepal and China was established by a 1955 Indian survey and subsequently confirmed by a Chinese survey in 1975. In 1865, 

Everest was given its official English name by the Royal Geographical Society upon a recommendation by Andrew Waugh, the British Surveyor General of India. Waugh named 

the mountain after his predecessor in the post, Sir George Everest. Although Tibetans had called Everest "Chomolungma" for centuries, Waugh was unaware of this because 

Tibet and Nepal were closed to foreigners at the time thus preventing any attempts to obtain local names.


Discovery


In 1802, the British began the Great Trigonometric Survey of India to determine the location and names of the world's highest mountains. Starting in southern India, 

the survey teams moved northward using giant theodolites, each weighing 500 kg (1,100 lb) and requiring 12 men to carry, to measure heights as accurately as possible. 

They reached the Himalayan foothills by the 1830s, but Nepal was unwilling to allow the British to enter the country because of suspicions of political aggression and 

possible annexation. Several requests by the surveyors to enter Nepal were turned down.[7]

The British were forced to continue their observations from Terai, a region south of Nepal which is parallel to the Himalayas. Conditions in Terai were difficult 

because of torrential rains and malaria. Three survey officers died from malaria while two others had to retire due to failing health.


Naming


While the survey wanted to preserve local names if possible (e.g. Kangchenjunga and Dhaulagiri), Waugh argued that he could not find any commonly used local name. 

Waugh's search for a local name was hampered by Nepal and Tibet's exclusion of foreigners. Many local names existed, including "Deodungha" ("Holy Mountain") in 

Darjeeling[14] and the Tibetan "Chomolungma", which appeared on a 1733 map published in Paris by the French geographer D'Anville. In the late 19th century, many 

European cartographers further believed (incorrectly) that a native name for the mountain was "Gaurisankar".[15] (Gauri Sankar is a mountain between Kathmandu and 

Everest.)


Surveys


The elevation of 8,848 m (29,029 ft) was first determined by an Indian survey in 1955, made closer to the mountain, also using theodolites.[citation needed] It was 

subsequently reaffirmed by a 1975 Chinese measurement 8,848.13 m (29,029.30 ft).[30] In both cases the snow cap, not the rock head, was measured. In May 1999 an 

American Everest Expedition, directed by Bradford Washburn, anchored a GPS unit into the highest bedrock. A rock head elevation of 8,850 m (29,035 ft), and a snow/ice 

elevation 1 m (3 ft) higher, were obtained via this device.[31] Although it has not been officially recognized by Nepal,[32] this figure is widely quoted. Geoid 

uncertainty casts doubt upon the accuracy claimed by both the 1999 and 2005 surveys.

A detailed photogrammetric map (at a scale of 1:50,000) of the Khumbu region, including the south side of Mount Everest, was made by Erwin Schneider as part of the 

1955 International Himalayan Expedition, which also attempted Lhotse. An even more detailed topographic map of the Everest area was made in the late 1980s under the 

direction of Bradford Washburn, using extensive aerial photography.[33]


Flora and fauna


Euophrys omnisuperstes, a minute black jumping spider, has been found at elevations as high as 6,700 metres (22,000 ft), possibly making it the highest confirmed non-

microscopic permanent resident on Earth. It lurks in crevices and may feed on frozen insects that have been blown there by the wind. It should be noted that there is a 

high likelihood of microscopic life at even higher altitudes.[47] Birds, such as the Bar-headed Goose, have been seen flying at the higher altitudes of the mountain, 

while others, such as the Chough, have been spotted as high as the South Col at 7,920 metres (25,980 ft)[48] scavenging on food, or even corpses, left by prior 

climbing expeditions. There is a moss that grows at 6,480 metres (21,260 ft) on Mount Everest.[49] It may be the highest altitude plant species.[49]


Death zone


At the higher regions of Mount Everest, climbers seeking the summit typically spend substantial time within the death zone (altitudes higher than 8,000 metres (26,000 

ft)), and face significant challenges to survival. Temperatures can dip to very low levels, resulting in frostbite of any body part exposed to the air. Since 

temperatures are so low, snow is well-frozen in certain areas and death or injury by slipping and falling can occur. High winds at these altitudes on Everest are also 

a potential threat to climbers.

Everest economy


Climbing Mount Everest can be a relatively expensive undertaking for climbers. Climbing gear required to reach the summit may cost in excess of US$8,000[citation 

needed], and most climbers also use bottled oxygen, which adds around US$3,000.[citation needed] The permit to enter the Everest area from the south via Nepal costs 

US$10,000 to US$25,000 per person, depending on the size of the team.[citation needed] The ascent typically starts in one of the two base camps near the mountain, both 

of which are approximately 100 kilometres (60 mi) from Kathmandu and 300 kilometres (190 mi) from Lhasa (the two nearest cities with major airports); transferring 

one's equipment from the airport to the base camp may add as much as US$2,000.[citation needed]