28 Sep 2020 Peak Climbing Nepal
Mount Everest is the world’s highest peak standing tall at an elevation of 8848m/29,035 ft above sea level. Situated in the Mahalangur Himal range, Mount Everest is one of the most beautiful mountains which makes it an ideal climbing destination. It is a challenging peak that requires incredible endurance and strength to climb.
Everest edges past Mount K2 and Kanchenjunga for being the tallest mountain in the world. Kanchenjunga was previously considered the tallest mountain peak in the world before the height of Everest was measured. Besides that, the foothills of Mount Everest also presents an opportunity to trek magical landscapes of the region.
Read further to know more about how tall is Mount Everest and has the height of Mount Everest shrunk? You will also learn about base height vs elevation above sea level, how tall is Mount Everest in feet, miles, and other related information.
How Tall is Mount Everest?
The British began the Great Trigonometric Survey of India to fix the names, heights, and locations of the world’s highest mountains in 1802. From southern India, the survey teams equipped with giant theodolites moved northward. Theodolites are measuring devices based on geometrical angles that weigh around 500 kg (1,100 lb) and require 12 men to carry.They tried to reach Himalayan foothills in the 1830s, but Nepal was unwilling and suspicious of British colonial ambition, political aggression, and possible annexation. Finally, the height of Everest was then estimated to be 8848 meters in a survey made by the Indian government more than a century later in 1954. The figure was duly trusted by researchers and geologists for 5 decades.
Another Chinese research team in 1975 concluded that the height of Everest was 29029.24 feet or 8848.11 m. But the sources and reliability of these surveys started to get questioned in 1999. The researchers made attempts to remeasure the height since then. Besides that, an Italian scientist group and researchers conducted another survey of Mount Everest.
They used both the Global Positioning System and Laser measurement technology to measure the height of Mt. Everest. The dispute was still on and then an American researcher team took the responsibility in surveying Mount Everest. The National Geographic Society concluded that it was 8850 meters tall using GPS.
The experts used cartography and geodesy with 2 meters above or below the actual height was then taken for consideration. Six years later, Chinese specialists used GPS and ice-penetrating radar and measured height by scaling mountains. The height of Everest was then concluded as 29,017.12 ft through this survey.
The Chinese media stamped their approval but Nepalese authorities weren’t pleased with the ‘snow height’ of 29028 ft used by Chinese. The two countries agreed to the conformity of both figures and settled their dispute in 2010.
Mount Everest height in Feet: 29,030 feet
Mount Everest height in meters: 8848 meters
How tall is Mount Everest in Miles?
The height of Mt. Everest is 5.498 miles based on data collected over years. But this result is bound to change as there is an ongoing research by Nepalese researchers.
Has the Height of Mount Everest Shrunk?
The massive earthquake of April 2015, may have shrunk the height of Everest according to various speculations. The hypothesis made many geologists around the world make the Nepalese government send a team of experts to measure the actual height of Everest. It was the first time a Nepalese team went with their scientist and expert to measure the height of Everest.
The team collected data using the ground-penetrating radar and the Global Navigation Satellite System. The research was duly conducted under the scrutiny of officials to find the actual height of the peak after the earthquake. The study is ongoing and the result will be out soon.
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Base Height Vs Elevation Above Sea Level
The Everest summit is the highest point on the earth’s surface that reaches the greatest distance above sea level. Several other mountains also claim to be the “tallest mountains on earth”. Mauna Kea in Hawaii rises over 10,200 m (33,464.6 ft) when measured from its base, but is only 4,205 m (13,796 ft) above sea level. It has the tallest base height but does not even reach half of Everest’s elevation level.
Similarly Denali, in Alaska or Mount McKinley, is taller than Everest in base height as well. Denali has a base height of 5,600 m (18,400 ft) but its height above sea level is only 6,190 m (20,308 ft). But these figures do not change the fact that Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world standing tall at an elevation of 8848m/29,035 ft.
Mount Everest Expedition
Mount Everest Expedition is one of the most challenging mountaineering adventures in the world. It was first ascended by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa in 1953. Climbing Everest is a dream of all avid mountain climbers.
April to May in Spring is the ideal time for trekking and climbing Mount Everest. The weather remains mostly stable in this season that makes for a great climbing adventure. Many climbers have perished in this difficult ascend and have injured themselves seriously. However, with proper preparation and training, it is not an impossible feat.
There are various tour operators, and expedition organizers for the Mount Everest expedition. This adventure requires overcoming numerous obstacles and challenges. Hence, climbers also need to understand various risk factors that come with these challenges. Before climbers head for the Himalayas, they need to devote a long time training to build strength, endurance, and stamina.
Moreover, climbers must also get used to low-oxygen environments, and freezing temperatures at higher altitudes. The “death zone” at 8 000 meters is one of the most challenging sections of the climb. The lack of oxygen in these high altitude conditions leads to impaired judgment, strokes, heart attacks, and other physical and mental problems.
Besides that, altitude sickness is another difficult part of the climb. Climbers need to acclimatize at high altitude conditions with lower levels of oxygen in the air. Taking a few trips up and down from Everest Base Camp is a tactic used by climbers to acclimatize. This will allow their body to produce more hemoglobin that carries oxygen from the lungs to the body.
How difficult is the Mount Everest Expedition?
Climbing the highest mountain peak in the world is not a walk in the park. It is an extreme level of the climb that requires proper mountaineering training. Mount Everest stands tall at an altitude of 8,840 meters (29,030 feet) from the sea level. It is also known as ‘Sagarmatha’ in the Nepalese language and ‘Chomolungma’ in the Tibetan.
Everest in the Mahalangur Himalayan range is a beautiful mountain. Daredevils from all over flock to Everest to tackle extreme weather and other challenges to climb mountains. You will also need to carry a load on your back with oxygen cylinders while climbing the mountain. Storms, avalanches, lack of oxygen, and freezing temperatures are some of the challenging factors.
Some climbers also have underlying health issues that might cause a problem. Every year an average of 6 people lose their lives while attempting to summit Mt Everest. The unpredictable weather change might also cause many risk factors among climbers. They can’t stay in the “death zone (26,000 feet)” as there is very little oxygen and the body becomes completely exhausted.
Moreover, a proper training routine will advance mountaineering skills like rope fixing, abseiling, crampon use, ice ax, etc are also essential. These activities should be performed at least 6 months before ascending. Besides that, mental preparation is also of great importance as this huge mountain will test you both physically and mentally.
Popular Everest Base Camp Trek
The EBC (South) in Nepal lies at an altitude of 5,364m and the EBC (North) in Tibet lies at an altitude of 5,150m. The trek to the EBC South is one of the most popular adventures in Nepal and around the world. Climbing Mt. Everest might not be everyone’s cup of tea, as it has a dangerous route to the summit.
There is the option of taking a spectacular Everest Base Camp trek instead. Trekkers will get to experience breathtaking views of the snow-capped Himalayas including Mt Everest, Ama Dablam, Makalu, Lhotse, and others. EBC region is one of the most trekked paths in the world.
This exciting trek will take you through remote parts of the country with awe-inspiring views of the Himalayas. You will pass through serene glaciers, pristine waterfalls, and forested hills. Trekkers will also experience the local Sherpa culture, traditions, and heritage. They have a unique lifestyle influenced by Tibetan Buddhism. This stunning trip of a lifetime will provide you with incredible memories.
The EBC trek starts with a scenic mountain flight from Kathmandu to Lukla. There are no proper roadways as such and thus you will need to take a flight that lands at the narrow runway of Tenzing-Hillary airport. You should get a window seat to observe amazing aerial views. The 30 minutes flight will take you to the popular tourist town of Lukla.
Moreover, the guides and porters will help you with your preparations for the trek. You will begin your ascent towards EBC from Lukla. The cool and crisp air will welcome you as you pass through lush, green forest trails. You will pass through mountain villages, and observe friendly people busy in their day to day lifestyle. The professional guide will help you with navigation, and acclimatization along the trail.
Trekkers will pass through Phakding, Namche Bazaar, Tengboche, Dingboche, Lobuche, and Gorak Shep to arrive at EBC. You will stay at cozy tea houses and lodges along the trail with the incredible hospitality of the people of Nepal. Namche Bazaar is also the commercial hub of the region with many cafes, hotels, restaurants, lodges, bars, and others.
Furthermore, the Sherpa way of life is a unique tradition that will amaze you. The culture and belief system is influenced by Tibetan Buddhism. The monasteries and gompas including the historic Tengboche Monastery will enthrall you along the trail. The Khumbu glacier and the other natural landscapes are highlights of this trek.
How difficult is the Everest Base Camp Trek?
Mt. Everest also known as the jewel of the Himalayas, stands at an altitude of 29,000 feet above sea level. The foothills of this mountain are ideal destinations for hikers and adventurers from all over the world.
Everest Base Camp trek is an exciting adventure that takes you to the base camp of the highest mountain in the world. It is a taxing journey that requires trekking rugged and remote terrains of the region. Trekkers need to trek for long hours at a high altitude region with lower oxygen levels.
Altitude sickness is a major problem among trekkers taking this exciting trek. Hence, proper acclimatization and regular hydration are essential for this trek. A professional guide will help you take breaks and acclimatize. You can also take Diamox tablets and descend to lower altitudes if altitude sickness persists.
Moreover, a proper training regime at least two weeks before the trek is necessary. Strength and endurance training, cardiovascular activities, and mental preparation is essential for this trek. Cycling, hiking, swimming, and other exercises will help you gain stamina and a basic level of physical fitness.
Besides that, proper nutrition and carbohydrate intake is also essential. You should also pack well with proper trekking gear as the weather in the high altitude region is quite unpredictable. Overall, the Everest Base Camp trek is a moderately challenging trek.
