Mount Everest Facts For Kids – The Highest Mountain in the World

The world has just celebrated 60th anniversary since the time when Mount Everest was first climbed. Mount Everest is called the ‘roof of the earth’ as it is situated in the highest mountainous ranges of the earth. The Himalayas range runs along 1,500 miles (2,400 km) and it adds in many world’s tallest peaks in the world…If you’re curious enough to know some other mount everest facts for kids then stick to the end. 

The official measurements suggest that Mount Everest is 29,029 feet (8,848 m) above the sea level and it stands in between Nepal and Tibet. This is the highest peak in the Himalayas range, and in the world. The peak is given high respect by both Nepal and Tibet (China) and they regard it as the holy place full of mystery and power.

Mount Everest Facts For Kids

There are 14 highest peaks in the world, 10 of which are found in the Himalayas alone. All these peaks are at a height of 26,250 feet (8,000 m) high above the sea level. Three Asian countries, apart from China, share the range of Himalayas; Nepal, Pakistan, and Bhutan.

The Himalayas is the youngest range on mother earth since it formed just only 60 million years ago. All throughout the year, the peak is lost in snow and thick clouds.

While conquering the highest peak in the world gives you the sense of achievement it also offers the world’s most inhospitable environments to its climbers. There is only one-third of the oxygen at Mount Everest which means that climbers must fight against the strong hurricane-force winds and suffocation at the same time.

The temperature at the summit can be as low as -76o F (-60o C). This is observed in January but the ideal time to climb the summit is at the start of May before monsoon season when the temperature is around about -2o F.
Since 1969, every year brings one human death on Mount Everest except 1977.

The winds at the Everest peak blow at the rate of 200 miles per hour.

The year of 1993 is believed to be the safest year so far as the Everest climbing is concerned. Out of 129 climbers, only eight lost their lives. 1996 is however the worst year in that it brings 15 casualties.

According to an estimate, there are around 120 dead bodies buried in the Everest Mountain.

Junko Tabei of Japan was the first woman ever to climb Mount Everest. She achieved the impossible in 1975.

There are 18 different routes to the Everest.

If you’re planning to climb the highest peak, then you must bring a lot of money with you. The Nepalese government charge $ 26,500 for the permit.

Namesake | Why is it called Mount Everest?

The peak is named in the honor of Sir George Everest, a British general and a surveyor who had never seen Mount Everest. The Nepalese however call this peak ‘Sagarmatha’ which means ‘mother Goddess of the World’. Isn’t it strange that the peak is named after a British mapping surveyor who never experienced the most inhospitable environments of Mount Everest? It so happened that in 1820s some British surveyors set out an expedition to map the biggest mountainous ranges in the world, Himalayas. But Nepal and Tibet in which Himalayas are situated never allowed them so they started measuring from as much as one hundred miles away from Himalayas. Remarkably enough, those surveyors were able to take precise measurements of Mount Everest even at a fairly great distance. The peak was then named as peak 15.

Himalayas Range is Constantly Moving | Mount Everest Facts For Kids

All continents of the earth experience a very slight movement every year. This movement might be in inches. Around one hundred million years ago, an ocean was parted from the rest of Asia. We now know this ocean by the name of India. Forty million years ago India tilled into Asia which gave rise to a collision. This collision is still observable. India is inching towards north precisely at 2.5 inches drifting each year. As a result it pushes Himalayan range as it goes on. Apart from its horizontal movement, the Mount Everest also rises 3 – 6 mm each year.

When the First Time Mount Everest was climbed?

The Mount Everest was first surmounted in the year 1953. Even though many climbers made successful attempts to ascend the summit after the first climb, many could not make it and died in vain. The reports suggest that almost 5 % of the international climbers ended in calamity.

Who were the First Father-and-Son to Climb Mount Everest?

Sir Edmund Hillary’s son Peter Hillary conquered the mountain in 1990, setting the world record of being the first son and father to ascend the summit.

Sir Edmund Hillary (Extreme Left) is the first climber of M.E. Credit: www.itv.com
Sir Edmund Hillary (Extreme Left) is the first climber of M.E.
Credit: www.itv.com

Who was the First to Climb Mount Everest?

(Mount Everest Facts For Kids)

Sir Edmund Hillary was the first person to climb Mount Everest in 1953. It was an expedition of New Zealand explorers who aimed to achieve the impossible by reaching the highest peak. Hillary was accompanied by another explorer Tenzing Norgay. They both were the members of Royal Geographic Society (RGS). Before 1953, a good many number of explorers made an attempt to reach the peak but none succeeded. Some returned unsuccessfully while others lost their lives in the process.

Although Hillary and Tenzing were the only two to reach the top, they were nevertheless convoyed by hundreds of other members including 35 Sherpa guides, almost 20 tons of food, 350 porters and above all, 12 climbers. Had there been no Nepalese men (Sherpa) in the team, it would have been well-nigh impossible to reach the peak. These Sherpa were used to live in the shadow of the Mount Everest and therefore their help was more than a mere assistance.

Who is the Youngest Person to Climb Mount Everest?

Jordon Romero of United States is the youngest individual to climb Mount Everest. He was only 13 years 10 months and 8 days old when he ascended the summit. Jordon made this successful attempt in May 22, 2010.

Which Year saw the most number of attempts at Mount Everest?

The year 2007 holds the world record of maximum number of attempts to climb the highest peak. There were 633 attempts made in this year to conquer Mount Everest.

Who is the Youngest Girl to Climb Mount Everest?

(Mount Everest Facts For Kids)

Ming Kepa, the Sherpa girl of Nepal holds the world record as the world’s youngest person to climb Mount Everest before Jordon made an attempt. She was only 15 when she reached the top. The record was retained from 2003 to 2010; however, she still holds the title of being the youngest girl ever to reach the roof of the world. Ming made an attempt from the Chinese side because the Nepalese law does not allow climbers under the age of 16 to ascend.

What was the Fastest ascent from the Everest Base Camp and Who did this?

Pem Dorjee of Nepal holds the title of being the only person who ascent the summit from the base camp in the shortest possible time. He did this in just 8 hours and 10 minutes. The record was made in May 21, 2004. Dorjee has climbed Mount Everest twice in his lifetime.

What was the First Couple to be married on top of the Mount Everest?

(Mount Everest Facts For Kids)

The first couple ever to hold the title of getting married at the summit was Pam Dorjee and his wife Moni Mulepati. They both went to the top without telling even to their parents.

Who holds the title of the Longest Stay on the Summit?

Babu Chiri Shirpa holds the record for staying on the summit the longest. Chiri spent 21 hours on the summit. Previously he holds two Everest records; one is the longest stay and the other one is the fastest ascent from the base camp in 16 hours and 56 minutes. The latter was broken by Pam Dorjee. However, Babu is the only person to have reached the summit ten times in his lifetimes. He was a legendary guide.

Who is the Oldest Person to climb Mount Everest?

Yuichiro Miura of Japan is the oldest person to climb Mount Everest. He was 80 years and 224 days old when he got the peak. Miura broke the record in May 23, 2013. Miura stayed in summit for half an hour, after taking some photos he returned back with other climbers.

Who is the First Paraglider to have descent from Mount Everest?

Jean-Marc Boivin of France is the first paraglider to have descent from the Everest summit. The French mountaineer and extreme skier also hold many other records for gliding but the best of his was dangerous gliding from the summit. Unfortunately, he lost his life while paragliding from the highest waterfalls in the world, Angel Falls.

Which is the only animal in the Mount Everest?

The jumping spider is the only animal that lives in the Mount Everest. It is found at a height of 22,000 feet above the sea level.

Who are the First Twins ever to Reach the Summit?

Last year two Indian sisters became the inspiration for many school kids when they scaled the highest peak in the world—Mount Everest. Nungshi Malik and her sister Malik created a history on May 2013 when they conquered Mount Everest. Besides, they have also ascent many other peaks including Mount McKinley, Mount Kilimanjaro, and Mount Elbrus. At present these two sisters are delivering gender-related lectures to the parents who are reluctant to send their children (especially daughters) to a new expedition.

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