Highest Peak: Mount Everest is the highest mountain peak in the world, standing at approximately 8,848.86 meters (29,031.7 feet) above sea level.
Growing Mountain: Everest is growing about 4 millimeters per year due to the upward thrusts of two tectonic plates.
Name Origins: It was named after George Everest, the British surveyor-general of India. However, in Nepal, it's known as "Sagarmatha" which means "Goddess of the Sky," and in Tibet, it's called "Chomolungma" meaning "Mother Goddess of the Universe."
First Ascent: The first confirmed successful ascent was by Sir Edmund Hillary of New Zealand and Tenzing Norgay, a Sherpa of Nepal, on May 29, 1953.
Deadly Attraction: Despite its beauty and allure, Everest is one of the most dangerous mountains in the world, with risks including avalanches, crevasses, severe weather, and altitude sickness. Hundreds of people have lost their lives attempting to reach the summit.
Death Zone: The area above 8,000 meters is known as the "Death Zone" due to the lack of oxygen and harsh conditions.
Fastest Ascent: The fastest ascent from the south side (without supplemental oxygen) was made by Kílian Jornet in 2017, with a time of 26 hours.
Youngest and Oldest Climbers: The youngest person to reach the summit was Jordan Romero of the United States at age 13 in 2010. The oldest was Yuichiro Miura of Japan at age 80 in 2013.
Bodies Remain on Everest: It's estimated that over 200 bodies remain on the mountain, as it's often too dangerous to retrieve people who die in their attempt to reach the summit.
Not Just Climbers: Besides climbers, Everest attracts scientists studying climate change, geology, and the effects of high altitude on the human body.
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