Mt. Everest: From the Top
Imagine you're in a jet, flying at above the clouds at the typical cruising altitude of 29,000 feet when suddenly you spot a mountain–at eye level!
 You’ve just come face-to-face with Mt. Everest, the
highest mountain in the world. Rising about 5.5 miles above sea
level, it's part of Asia's Himalaya Mountain Range, which forms a natural
boundary between Tibet in the north (part of China) and Nepal
in the south. Including Everest, the Himalayas boast eight of earth's
10 highest mountains.
Mt. Everest grandeur and seemingly indomitable height have captivated people around the world for centuries. But the mountain has been the object of intense interest ever since 1953, when the first British Expedition with Sir Edmund Hillary from New Zealand and Tenzig Norgay of Nepal conquered its treacherous flanks. The two were first to reach the summit, making headlines and history.
Since then, thousands of people have risked their lives to scale the “un-climbable” mountain. Yet only hundreds have successfully reached the top, and hundreds have died trying. Climbers face subzero temperatures, avalanches, and deadly missteps into crevasses, not to mention air that has so little oxygen it makes you sleepy, dizzy, slow and sick. All this, plus a trip price tag for Americans of around $60,000.
 As more and more climbers attempt the summit with varying
levels of experience, the local area faces problems trying to
keep everyone safe, and the mountain faces environmental dangers
from the accumulated trash climbers have left behind over the
past 50 years. Now, as global climate change concerns increase, Chinese
scientists speculate that Mt. Everest is shrinking, due to melting snow
and ice. Now they’re taking measures to find out for sure. In March of 2005, scientists reached the summit and installed survey equipment to re-measure and monitor the altitude.
Beyond the environmental issues, there is ongoing political tension throughout the region. Invaded by China in the 1950s, traditionally non-communist Tibet continues to press for the right to have an autonomous government under Chinese sovereignty. This movement is headed by the Dalai Lama, who has lived in exile in India since 1959. Nepal is in the midst of its own uprising, initiated by communist rebels who are challenging the traditional monarchy. More than 10,000 people have been killed and more than 100,000 displaced.
People, societies and cultures have risen, fallen, grown, changed and struggled in its midst. But high above the tumult, Mt. Everest remains constant. It continues to inspire awe. It continues to beckon. And adventurers continue to answer the mountain’s call.
Factoid:
Tibetans named Mt. Everest Chomolungma (or Qomolangma) as a representation of their "Mother Goddess of the Universe"
Nepalese call Everest Sagarmatha which is Sanskrit for "Forehead of the Sky"
In 2002, The Chinese newspaper The People's Daily published an article criticizing the prevalent use of the Western name Mt. Everest, which was named in 1840 for the Surveyor General of India, Sir George Everest. The article called for a return to the Tibetan name and cited documents that referred to Chinese surveys of the mountain dating back to 1719.
Still curious?
www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/everest/
Excellent site about the explorers and the Mountain.
www.encarta.msn.com
Do a search under "Mt. Everest" to find maps and articles
www.nationalgeographic.com/everest
A site celebrating the 50th anniversary of the first ascent with maps,
lessons, and a virtual climb.
www.everesthistory.com
Detailed timelines, expedition and route information.
www.everestnews.com
Read updates and reports from the latest expeditions, including a
snowboarder.
www.china.org.cn/english/2005/May/12945.htm
A report on the 2005 Chinese expedition to re-measure Everest
www.mounteverst.net
A site created by climbers with firsthand stories, trekking information
and expedition videos.
www.bbc.co.uk
For more information on the region's political situation, do a search
on this site using "Tibet" and/or "Nepal"
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