Mount Everest
Mount Everest is the highest mountain on Earth, standing at a towering 8,848 meters above sea level. It lies in the Himalayan range, and can be approached from Nepal (South) or Tibet (North). Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay were the first ones to conquer the peak back in 1953. Since then, many others have made successful and unsuccessful attempts at climbing the mountain, and some have even perished along the way.
Before commencing your mountaineering trip, it is important to ensure that you are physically and mentally fit to undertake such an arduous campaign. Regular exercise, healthy diet and proper clothing and footwear will go a long way in ensuring that you are prepared for this adventurous journey.
(Description continues after the featured listings, scroll down.)
Mount Everest -- Continue
Mountaineers generally establish a base camp at the Southern Eastern part of the Everest to begin their campaign, and then go on to set up another four along the way. They initially move back and forth to get acclimatized to the dwindling oxygen level. Climbers usually rest for an entire day after conquering every 1,000 feet, rejuvenating themselves with nutritious foods and plenty of fluids.
One of the most difficult parts during this mountaineering expedition is to traverse the scary Khumbu ice fall, which has caused more than a few causalities in the past. This is why it makes sense to ascend this icefall in the morning so as to proceed safely to the valley of silence, which allows you to have a clear glimpse of the majestic mountain. However, it is important to distance yourself from the walls which are vulnerable to avalanches.
Walking past the silent valley would soon lead you to a steep slope in the form of Lhotse face, where one wrong move could prove to be fatal. Therefore, watch your steps and cling on to the fixed ropes. After a while, you’ll reach the Death Zone, where the sky above you will be darkish blue, a good enough indicator that your entry into the Knife Ridge is imminent.
Beware of the surprisingly sharp and steep slopes at the Knife Ridge, which can leave you huffing and puffing. Expert climbers take short breaks in between to re-energize themselves. When you go past the 8000 meter mark, you would have crossed the Hillary Step identifiable by a massive rock.
The summit ridge is the final frontier in your epic journey, which finally paves the way for the roof the world itself- The Mount Everest. Successful Mount Everest climbers testify that the feeling of conquering the seemingly unconquerable is too overwhelming to describe in words.