MOUNT EVEREST

In  1953, over 50 years ago, the first climbers successfully  climbed Mountain  Everest. It is the highest mountain in  the  world and so is also called  'the  roof  of  the  world'. This incredible mountain is still one of the most challenging to climb and mountaineers are still trying to do so. It stards 8,850 metres above sea level at the summit, and was probably formed about 30,000,000 years ago. The  whole  mountain is  covered by glaciers, or rivers of ice which sweep down  from the top to the  botton.

The climate on Mount Everest  is always  extreme. In January, which  is the coldest  month, temperatures can drop as low as  -60oc at  the summit,  and in July, which is the warmest month, temperatures only go as high as  -19oc. It is never above freezing. From June untill Septebmer, there are violent snowstorms and winds can blow athurricane force. Some times as strong as 285 kilometres per hour.

The  difficulties of climbing  Mount Everest  seem  insurmountable. Snow  and  ice  avalanches are a constant danger and the winds are  treacherous. However, lack of oxygen is probably the most problematical aspect. The air holds only a third as much oxygen at this altitude. This resultsin all  kinds of ill effects, such as hypothermia, extreme tiredness, lack of coordination, headaches,
nausea and double vision. Even so, Everest has been climbed by more than 2,200 mountaineers, Unfortunately, however, about 200 climbers have lost their lives during the climb and most of the bodies have never been recovered. They are still lying on the mountain.
Climbing groups never attempt the  climb without a Sherpa guide. Sherpas  are the people who live around the base of the mountain range. Their physical strength is well known and they are able to breathe much more easily.at high altitudes because their lungs are used to the thin air. They known all the routes and the dangers on the mountain, so their advice is invaluable. The most famous was in the group that first climbed the mountain in 1953 with Sir Edmund  Hillary.

According to the National  Geographic Magazine, Mount  Everest is still growing. It rises about 4 millimetres every year. This is because the  two tectonic plates of Asia and India are pushing against each other, so Everest is getting higher and higher. The Himalayas remain the highest mountain range in the world and because of the dangers, the most formidable.

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