Mount Everest has come to signify human’s ability to climb and conquer the world’s highest mountain. Located in the mountain range of Nepal and Tibet, every year hundreds of men and women make the trek climbing this unforgiven and dangerous mountain. Expert climbers, athletes, and aficionados want to be part of the few who can stake a claim in reaching the summit. However, reaching the top of the peak at 8,848 metres comes with many challenges and hazards. Strong and violent winds, avalanches, altitude sickness, and freezing temperatures are just some of the challenges and life threatening conditions climbers have to work with. To date there are approximately 200 bodies left on the mountain. In a twisted and morbid way, the corpses serve as a landmark to climbers and the elite sherpas who serve as the guides in the trek.As early as 1884, British mountaneer and president of the Alpine Club, Clinton Thomas Dent suggested climbing Mount Everest. It took many groups and attempts but people quickly descended the mountain when they realized they were in danger.
Mount Everest is named after Welsh surveyor and geographer, Sir George Everest. Although, the man never climbed nor surveyed the mountain.
The average expedition to Mount Everest takes approximately two months. Climbers start arriving to the camp grounds around March to begin acclimatizing to the conditions.
One of the first challenges climbers face is at only 5,300 metres high. This area sits around a maze where a crevasse opens to long and deadly icefalls.
Mallory made the trek with his climbing partner Andrew “Sandy” Irvine. Mallory’s body was found on May 1, 1999 but Irvine’s was not. It is not known if the man died after climbing Everest or on his way up.
Eight years later two men died trying to remove the body. For years climbers came across Schmatz’ body as it leaned on a backpack with her eyes wide open.
By the time climbers reach the Death Zone at 8,000 meters, they feel they are at the earth’s atmosphere. They describe the sky having a strange blue colour.
Despite her inexperience in climbing, Shah-Klorfine reached the summit. Guides said the woman was the slowest in the group. On the day of the final stretch the sherpa wanted to turn back but Shah Klorfine refused. She died descending Everest.
Tsewang Paljor was an Indian climber who died in a 1996 blizzard. For the last 20 years he is recognized for his neon green boots. He was part of the Indo-Tibetan Borde Police.
She died on the descend. Her husband Sergei was nowhere to be found until a year later his body was spotted. He had fallen off a cliff trying to rescue Francys.
This body has been lying there for long but still is not identified yet.
Despite all the hard work they do, it is often the tourists who boast in the glory of reaching the summit. To date there are two sherpas credited with reaching Everest 21 times each.
The ancient Tibetan name for Everest is Chomolungma meaning Goddess Mother of Mountains. The Nepalese call it Sagarmatha, translating to Forehead in the Sky.
Most accidents occur when people are climbing down. Exhaustion, oxygen bottles running out, and the uneven descend are some of the reasons for the tragic accidents.
Winds can reach speeds of 175 mph, knocking climbers off the mountain or dying from the cold. This is why climbing is most popular during spring when the winds are calmer.
It is known the rainbow valley for the numbers of corpses lying around with the colourful gear still on. The summit pierces through the earth’s stratosphere, the second layer of the atmosphere.