Towering at 8,848.86 meters on the border between Nepal and China, Mount Everest is known to everyone as the highest peak on Earth. But did you know that over 6,000 people have successfully reached its summit, and that it takes at least 40 days to complete the climb?

In this article, we’ve gathered 15 interesting and little-known facts about Mount Everest. Whether you’re planning a trek to Everest Base Camp, dreaming of climbing to the top, or simply hoping to see the summit view of this giant, these facts are sure to inspire you. Read on to discover what makes Mount Everest more extraordinary than you ever imagined!

1. Mount Everest is Not the Tallest from Base to Peak

While Mount Everest is the highest mountain above sea level at 8,848.86 meters, it’s actually not the tallest mountain from base to summit. That title goes to Mauna Kea in Hawaii.

Mauna Kea rises only 4,205 meters above sea level, but when measured from its underwater base, it reaches a total height of about 10,210 meters - making it taller than Everest in overall height!

Also, Everest’s summit is not the farthest point from the center of the Earth. That record belongs to Mount Chimborazo in Ecuador, South America, which stands at 6,310 meters.

That’s because the Earth isn’t a perfect sphere - it’s slightly wider at the equator and flatter at the poles, creating a bulge of about 21 kilometers. So, mountains near the equator sit slightly farther out into space!

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2. Mount Everest Grows About 4 Millimeters Every Year

Thanks to the movement of tectonic plates, specifically the Indian Plate pushing against the Eurasian Plate, Everest continues to grow a little taller every year. On average, it rises about 4 millimeters annually, adding up to around 40 centimeters in a century!

So, if you visit Mount Everest years from now, it might be just a little bit higher than it is today!

3. Mount Everest Has Three Different Names

Most people know it as Mount Everest, but this majestic peak has different names depending on the region. Each name reflects the mountain’s immense cultural and spiritual significance in the region.

In Nepali, it’s called Sagarmatha, meaning “Goddess of the Sky.” In Tibetan, it is known as Chomolungma, meaning “Goddess Mother of the World.” And the name Mount Everest was given by the British in 1865 to honor Sir George Everest, a former Surveyor General of India.

4. Mount Everest is about 60 Million Years Old

Mount Everest may seem timeless, but geologists estimate that it began forming around 60 million years ago. It rose as a result of the collision between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, which pushed lighter rocks upward and caused heavier rocks to sink.

As a result, Everest slowly rose from the ocean floor, and its peak is made of rock that was once beneath the ancient Tethys Sea - a long-lost ocean that once lay between the Indian subcontinent and Asia.

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5. Mount Everest has Been Summited by Over 6000 Climbers

Since Sir Edmund Hillary of New Zealand and Tenzing Norgay, a Sherpa from Nepal, first summited Mount Everest in 1953, over 6,000 different people have reached the top. Many have done it multiple times, leading to more than 11,000 total ascents.

However, climbing Everest is still very dangerous. Every year, only a small number of those who attempt the climb actually reach the top, and sadly, some do not make it back.

6. Sherpas Are Among the Few Who Can Climb Everest Without Oxygen

Bottled oxygen is usually required to climb Mount Everest, as the air becomes extremely thin above 8,000 meters, an area known as the “death zone.” But many Sherpas, an ethnic group living on both sides of the Himalayas, are able to climb without it.

They have lived in high-altitude regions for generations and are naturally adapted to thin air. Their bodies function well in low-oxygen environments, which makes them ideal guides for Everest expeditions. Sherpas not only guide climbers but also help carry supplies, set up camps, and assist with rescues when needed.

7. It Costs at Least $30,000 to Climb Mount Everest

Climbing Everest is not only physically and mentally demanding - it’s also very expensive. A standard climb from the Nepal side costs at least $30,000 per person, and luxury expeditions can exceed $100,000. This price covers permits, guides, Sherpa support, equipment, oxygen, food, supplies, and transportation.

For regular travelers who aren’t planning to summit Everest, there is a more accessible way to experience the mountain. You can join our classic Everest Base Camp trek on the Tibetan side, which includes a 4-day hike from Tingri to EBC. It’s an affordable adventure suitable for anyone with average fitness.

8. The Summit Can Get Crowded in Peak Season

You might expect the summit of Everest to be a quiet and solitary place, but in fact, it can get crowded during the peak season in May. This is the most popular time to climb Mount Everest because of the stable weather and warmer temperatures.

On clear days, hundreds of climbers may line up near the summit. These traffic jams can be dangerous, even deadly, as climbers risk running out of oxygen or getting caught in sudden weather changes.

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9. Helicopters Can’t Fly to the Top of Mount Everest

Helicopters cannot fly to the summit of Mount Everest because the air at such high altitudes is too thin for the propellers to generate enough lift. This means air evacuation is not possible for climbers who are high up on the mountain.

Currently, helicopters can reach Everest Base Camp on both the Tibetan and Nepalese sides, and it’s the most expensive way to get there.

On the other hand, flights can fly over Mount Everest. The flight between Lhasa and Kathmandu is a popular route across the Himalayas, and on clear days, it allows tourists to see the summit of Everest from the airplane.

10. It Takes at Least 40 Days to Reach the Summit

Reaching the summit of Everest is not a quick trip. Even the fittest climbers need at least 40 to 60 days to complete the climb. You’ll spend weeks acclimatizing at different altitudes to avoid altitude sickness, waiting for good weather, and gradually moving up and down the mountain.

And that’s just the time it takes to climb from Everest Base Camp to the summit. For the entire journey, including travel to and from Base Camp on either the Tibetan or Nepalese side, you may need two to three months in total.

11. Climbing Everest from Nepal Is Easier than from Tibet

Everest can be climbed from two sides: Nepal (south) and Tibet (north). The Nepal route is more popular because it's considered slightly easier and offers better rescue access. The Tibet side is colder, windier, and more technically challenging, though it offers stunning views and fewer crowds.

However, for those who don’t plan to climb, visiting Everest Base Camp in Tibet is easier, as it can be reached directly by car. The Tibetan EBC also offers closer summit views of Everest without the need for trekking or climbing.

12. There’s Cell Service on Everest - Even at the Summit!

Believe it or not, your cell phone can work on Mount Everest - even at the summit! While coverage is strongest at lower altitudes, such as Lukla and Everest Base Camp, where you can use your phone like normal, there have also been reports of climbers getting a signal at higher elevations.

As you climb higher, the signal can become weaker and less reliable, but in rare cases, some climbers have managed to take photos and short videos from the top.

Still, climbers are encouraged to stay focused and use technology wisely. Safety always comes first on the world’s highest mountain.

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13. Mount Everest Is Littered with Trash (and Human Waste)

More and more climbers and support teams trek Mount Everest each year, and this has led to a serious trash problem on the mountain. There are piles of discarded gear, oxygen bottles, tents, and even human waste.

Feces do not decompose in the permanently frozen higher altitudes. As a result, the government now requires climbers to carry their waste off the mountain. Some climbers use waste bags and pee bottles, while others even wear diapers to manage waste during the climb.

14. Mount Everest Is Not the Deadliest Mountain

Despite its extreme height and harsh weather, Mount Everest is not the most dangerous mountain. Its death rate is about 1%, making it the 7th deadliest mountain in the world. The deadliest mountain is Annapurna I in Nepal, which has a fatality rate of around 33%.

However, Everest still claims lives nearly every year, often due to altitude sickness, severe weather, exhaustion, or overcrowding.

15. People Have Climbed Everest Wearing Shorts

It may sound unbelievable, but it’s true! Dutch adventurer Wim Hof, also known as “The Iceman,” climbed Mount Everest up to 7,400 meters wearing only shorts and shoes. He did it to show the power of breathing techniques and cold exposure training.

However, this is not recommended for anyone else. Even the fittest climbers need proper gear and full equipment to safely attempt Everest. The mountain’s extreme conditions can be life-threatening without the right protection.

Conclusion

As the highest peak on Earth, Mount Everest is a fascinating mountain filled with legends and mind-blowing facts. Whether you're planning a trek to Everest Base Camp, dreaming of reaching the summit, or simply eager to see the mountain up close, we're here to help you make your dream journey a reality. Feel free to contact us and share your travel ideas today!