7 Strange Everest Facts

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image source : flickr

What’s in a name?
Everest, previously known just as Peak XV, was confirmed to be the highest mountain in the world in 1856. It was named after Sir George Everest (a previous Surveyor General of India) due to the fact that Tibet and Nepal were sealed off at the time, and so the local names couldn’t be discovered. In Tibetan it is known as Chomolungma (mother goddess of the universe), while the Nepalese call the mountain Sagarmatha – goddess of the sky.

To put that in perspective…
The summit of Mount Everest stands at 8,848m. Even Everest Base Camp (5,300m), is higher than any of the Rocky Mountains.

Big, but not so tough
Everest is not the most dangerous. About 3000 people and over 200 or 9% never made it back to the safety of Everest Base Camp. But, compared to other mountains K2, known as the Savage Mountain, Everest claims a quarter of its climbers, and Annapurna I has a staggering 40% mortality rate due to its frequent avalanches.

Rest in peace…
Everest’s Climbers must prepare themselves for the gruesome sight. The corpses do not decompose due to the cold, and removing them is too dangerous. It is believed that over 120 bodies remain on the mountain, many of which are visible from the standard summiting routes. Anyone on an Everest Base Camp trek needn’t worry, all the bodies are further up in called “Death Zone”.

The fastest way down…
There are plenty of speed records, but the most impressive fastest descent in 1988, Jean-Marc Boivin of France went off the summit in a paraglider, making his descent in just 11 minutes.

You may kiss the bride
On May 30th 2005, the Nepalese couple Mono Mulepati and Pem Dorje Sherpa became the a first couples held the ceremony at 29,000 feet.

You’re never too old…or too young
Temba Tsheri made it to the top in 2001 aged just 15 is Everest’s youngest. Then, it’s never too late to make it to the top. Min Bahadur Sherchan was 76 when he reached the summit.