Mount Everest and Its Climbing History

Mount Everest, the highest mountain in the world, stands 8,848 meters (29,029 feet) tall above from the sea level. The official name for Mount Everest is Chomolungma in Tibetan, Zhumulangma Feng in Chinese and Sagarmatha in Nepali. Mount Everest falls in Mahalangur range of the Himalayas and its summit point separate the international border between China and Nepal. Lhotse (8,516 meter), Nuptse (7,855 meter) and (Changtse 7,580) are neighbouring peaks to Mt. Everest.

File Photo: Mount Everest (1983 AD)

The Great Trigonometric Survey of British India discovered and published the height of Mount Everest at the first in 1856. It was then recognized as highest mountain in the world. After this announcement, people came up with the idea of climbing Mount Everest and reaching the summit. But, the idea of climbing Mount Everest was only limited to dreams and ideas until 1921 because foreigners were not allowed in Nepal and Tibet then. The first attempt to climb Mount Everest was made only in 1921 when Tibet opened its border for foreigners. Everest received its official name in 1865 from Royal Geographical Society. The British Surveyor General of India, Andrew Waugh, had suggested this name for the mountain after his predecessor, Sir George Everest.

Sir George Everest: He was the progenitor of The Great Trigonometrical Survey Of British India; named Everest in his honor. But, amazing fact, he never saw the highest mountain in the world.

Yearly, a huge number of high skilled mountaineers and climbers fluctuate to the base camp of Mount Everest for climbing. There are two routes for climbing Mount Everest; one is from southeast side in Nepal and another from north side in Tibet. North side is comparatively difficult one than southeast side (also known as standard route). Thus, due to this reason, Nepal receives large number of mountaineers and climbers for climbing Mount Everest from its side; more than thousand permits are issued in a year by Nepal Government to climb Mount Everest.

In 1921, the British expedition made the first climb to Mount Everest from the Tibetan side. It was mapping and reconnaissance expedition; not aimed to summit Mount Everest. In that expedition, George Mallory and Guy Bullock discovered and explored the Northern Route to climb Mount Everest. The British expeditions made several attempts to summit the Everest from northern route at that time period. The expedition on 1924 has been the most mysterious on Everest till this date: Andrew Irvine and George Mallory set for the final attempt to reach the summit from the last high camp never returned and disappeared in snow. This has created the debate and confusion in the history of Mount Everest climbing that whether they first or not to ascent Everest because they were spotted and found high on the mountain. George Mallory's body was found in 1999 at North Face by Andrew and George Research Expedition.

The 1924 British Expedition: From back row, left to right: Andrew Irvine, George Mallory, Edward Norton, Noel Odell and John Macdonald, and at front row: Edward Shebbeare, Geoffrey Bruce, Howard Somervell and Bentley Beetham.

Here is the video of George Mallory's Body found by Adrew and George Research Expedition:

Numerous attempts were made to climb and reach the top of the Mount Everest after onward. But, Tibet was closed for foreigners in 1950 after it was taken by China. Nepal opened its border for foreigner the same year. There were the exploration of routes from southeast to climb Mount Everest after the restriction on North Face. The whole world evident the successful climb of Everest to the summit from southeast route in 29th May, 1953 at 11.30 am NST (Nepal Standard Time). Tenzing Norgay, a Nepali Sherpa Guide, and Edmund Hillary, a mountaineer and beekeeper from New Zealand, achieved this success to reach the roof of the world from their British expedition.

Tenzing Norgay, a Nepali Sherpa Guide and Mountaineer, and Edmund Hillary, a mountaineer and beekeeper from New Zealand; first persons to reach the top of Mount Everest. (Photo source: Flickr user agirregabiria)

Sir Edmund Hillary (Left) and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa (Right)

Here is the archived news-report footage of Hillary and Norgay's successful climb to summit of Mount Everest (1953)