Mount Everest, locally known as Sagarmatha in Nepal and Qomolangma in Tibet, stands as the tallest mountain in the world above sea level. Its official elevation is 8,848.86 meters (29,031 feet), as determined by Chinese and Nepali authorities in 2020. Located in the Mahalangur Himal sub-range of the Himalayas, the mountain’s summit serves as a natural border between Nepal and China.
While scaling Everest is considered a prestigious achievement, it is also an extremely dangerous endeavor. Since records began, 340 people have lost their lives on the mountain, including 18 fatalities in 2023 and 9 climbers in 2024.
Photo : https://news.climate.columbia.edu/2015/06/12/mt-everest-not-safe-from-climate-change/
Fatalities in 2024:
Among the nine fatalities in 2024 was Cheruiyot Kirui, a 40-year-old Kenyan climber. Kirui had aimed to become the first African to summit Everest without using supplementary oxygen. Tragically, he died during the climb, alongside Nawang Sherpa, a Nepali climber, in May 2024.
Historical Summits Without Oxygen:
Climbing Mount Everest without supplementary oxygen is a rare and grueling feat accomplished by only a few mountaineers. Notable figures include:
- Reinhold Messner (Italy) and Peter Habeler (Austria): First to summit without oxygen in May 1978.
- Tim Macartney-Snape and Greg Mortimer (Australia): Scaled Everest via a new route in October 1984.
- Stephen Venables (UK): First Englishman to achieve the feat.
Despite these remarkable successes, climbing Everest remains perilous, with harsh weather, low oxygen levels, and the risk of avalanches claiming many lives over the decades.
The allure of Everest draws adventurers worldwide, but it comes with significant risks. The death of Cheruiyot Kirui and others serves as a stark reminder of the challenges involved in scaling this iconic peak.
For more information, visit: BBC News.
