5 Things That May Surprise You About Mount Everest


5 Things That May Surprise You About Mount Everest

Mount Everest, the tallest mountain in the world, stands as a symbol of adventure, resilience, and awe-inspiring natural beauty. Rising 8,848.86 meters (29,031.7 feet) above sea level, this iconic peak in the Himalayas attracts climbers, scientists, and adventurers from across the globe. While many people know about its towering height and dangerous expeditions, here are five lesser-known facts about Mount Everest that might surprise you.

1. Everest Is Still Growing

Believe it or not, Mount Everest is not a fixed height—it’s actually getting taller! The mountain is part of the Himalayan range, which was formed around 50 million years ago when the Indian tectonic plate collided with the Eurasian plate. This collision continues to this day, causing the Himalayas, including Everest, to rise by about 4 millimeters (0.16 inches) annually.

Earthquakes and tectonic shifts can also alter Everest’s height. For instance, the 2015 Nepal earthquake caused a slight reduction in its elevation. In 2020, a new survey confirmed Everest's current official height as 8,848.86 meters, taking into account advancements in measurement technology and recent geological activity.

2. It’s Home to “The Death Zone”

Climbing Mount Everest isn’t just physically challenging—it’s life-threatening. At altitudes above 8,000 meters (26,247 feet), climbers enter the infamous death zone, where oxygen levels are so low that the human body begins to deteriorate.

In the death zone:

  • The oxygen level is only about 33% of what it is at sea level, making it nearly impossible to breathe without supplemental oxygen.
  • Temperatures can drop as low as -40°C (-40°F), and winds can exceed 100 miles per hour.
  • The body starts consuming its own muscle and tissue to survive, leading to extreme fatigue, confusion, and organ failure.

This harsh environment explains why so many climbers fail to reach the summit or tragically lose their lives attempting to do so. Despite these risks, the allure of conquering the world’s highest peak continues to draw adventurers year after year.

3. Everest Has Over 200 Bodies on Its Slopes

Tragically, Mount Everest has become a graveyard for many climbers who perished during their expeditions. Over 300 people have died on the mountain since the first recorded attempts to summit in the 1920s, and more than 200 bodiesremain on its slopes.

Due to the extreme conditions in the death zone, it’s nearly impossible to retrieve bodies. Many climbers who die on Everest are left where they fall, and some become landmarks for future climbers. For example:

  • "Green Boots": A climber whose brightly colored boots became a well-known marker on the route to the summit.
  • Frozen in Time: The low temperatures preserve bodies almost perfectly, turning them into eerie reminders of the mountain’s dangers.

While efforts are occasionally made to remove bodies, it requires significant resources and poses great risks to the rescuers.

4. Everest Has Its Own Traffic Jams

You might think the summit of Everest is a serene, solitary place, but during climbing season, it’s surprisingly crowded. The mountain has seen a surge in climbers over the years, with hundreds attempting to summit each year during the brief weather window in spring (typically May).

In recent years, overcrowding has led to dangerous traffic jams in the death zone. Climbers have been forced to wait in line for hours at high altitudes, increasing their risk of frostbite, exhaustion, and running out of oxygen.

The infamous 2019 climbing season saw queues of over 300 climbers near the summit, leading to multiple fatalities. These traffic jams have sparked debates about overcrowding, the ethics of commercial expeditions, and the need for stricter regulations.

5. Everest Isn’t Actually the Tallest Mountain on Earth

This fact might sound counterintuitive, but it depends on how you define "tallest." While Mount Everest is the highest point above sea level, it isn’t the tallest mountain in terms of sheer height from base to summit.

  • Mauna Kea, a dormant volcano in Hawaii, holds the title of the tallest mountain when measured from its base on the ocean floor to its peak. Mauna Kea measures a staggering 10,210 meters (33,500 feet)—far taller than Everest’s 8,848.86 meters.
  • Everest also isn’t the closest point to space. That title goes to Mount Chimborazo in Ecuador, which sits closer to Earth’s equatorial bulge.

Despite these technicalities, Everest remains the ultimate challenge for mountaineers due to its extreme elevation and treacherous conditions.


Mount Everest is much more than just a tall mountain—it’s a place of mystery, danger, and scientific fascination. From its ever-changing height to its grim reminders of human mortality, Everest continues to captivate and challenge those who dare to explore it.

While summiting Everest is a monumental achievement, the mountain’s true power lies in the respect it commands from climbers, scientists, and nature lovers alike. These surprising facts are a reminder of how much there is to learn about this iconic peak—and the planet it crowns.