Climbing Mount Everest is quite often a challenge that every adventure traveler dreams of. But how can you climb Mount Everest? What are the difficulties that you will face? Is it a risk worth taking? These are some of the questions that always arise. This article explores some of the things you need to know before you decide whether you should climb Mount Everest.
Since Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay first climbed Mount Everest in 1953, the Himalayan peak has become both the literal and the figurative pinnacle of any high-altitude climber's career. Mount Everest is located in the Mahalangur region of the Himalayan range, with its summit bordering China and Nepal. The height of mount Everest is 8,848 meters and it is said that its height increases each year by a few millimeters due to geologic uplift.
Climbing the tallest mountain in the world will indeed pose a challenge. Interestingly however, it has been noted that the more inexperienced climbers tend to reach the summit on their first attempt. It is chance-taking due to the unawareness of dangers and of course it is extremely hazardous. Even the long-term climber will find the unfamiliar conditions quite a battle to face.
A crucial thing that Mountain climbers should be weary of is bad weather and how it can turn an easy, sunny climb into a horrible, fatal inferno. The change in weather is often fast and unforgiving. Suddenly you will be blinded, with the wind freezing the blood in your veins, where you can’t think or find your way anywhere.
It is of utmost importance to follow guidance on the rules of surviving when climbing mount Everest. On prolonged climbs, bad weather might strike unexpectedly, contrary to forecasts of fine conditions. The mountain creates its own weather, impossible to predict well by current models, especially with no weather station on the summit.
Trust forecasts for general weather system predictions but always keep an eye on the mountain. Place fixed ropes everywhere possible. Bring a compass, provide for a security light in camp. Minimize the risk any way that you can. Make sure to clip in.
Almost yearly, climbers die in the Himalayas due to old rope. It is important to not climb together with large numbers of climbers on a single rope. Health problems at high altitudes such as headaches, edema, frostbite, confusion and such are actually more often related to dehydration than lack of oxygen.
A lot of strange feelings, reactions and symptoms occur at altitude. For instance; reaching high heights causes your brain to lack oxygen. A brain short on oxygen reacts in a different way.
The knowledge of different situations at high altitudes and your own reactions to them is important for your self-confidence and is essential for survival. That’s why experience with altitude is so important prior to an Everest climb.
Whilst there are some ways to read the snow, and various digging techniques for avalanche situations, there is really not much to do about it. Avoid climbs following heavy snowfalls. Especially on the Lhotse wall or the North wall. Climb swiftly past the dangerous parts, don’t climb the icefall too late in the day, and well keep your fingers crossed.
