Climbers face many dangers while scaling Everest

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Students in Rachel Boehm’s fourth grade at Hawthorn Elementary North in Vernon Hills asked a few questions about the world’s tallest peak, Mount Everest. “Who was the first person to reach Mount Everest; how long did it take them? Who was the youngest person to reach Mount Everest? What tools are needed to climb the mountain?”

At 29,029 feet in height and continually pushing upward, Mount Everest is the world’s tallest peak. Everest, named for the British surveyor who first cataloged the geological form, is a top challenge for mountaineers seeking the thrill of claiming the highest peak.

Two main routes are the most often used — the popular South Col through Nepal and the North Col from Tibet.

The Everest climb takes almost superhuman strength and willpower. Hikers need to drive their bodies over ice falls, crevasses and glaciers while experiencing below freezing temperatures and Mother Nature’s perils, including avalanches and hurricane winds.

The low oxygen levels at high altitudes make clear thinking a very serious challenge; many climbers have perished as a result.

The drive to ascend this almost impossible climb began in the 1920s when explorers searched for a new frontier after the North and South poles were mastered.

In 1924, Lt. Col. Edward Norton almost made it up Everest but was short by 900 feet. In 1953, climbers Sir Edmund Hillary and a guide from Nepal, Tenzing Norgay, became the first to arrive at the summit as part of an expedition with 400 support members.

Since then, climbers have reached the peak nearly 2,500 times. The youngest person to top Mount Everest was 15-year-old Temba Teshari from Nepal.

Most climbers use a guide company when attempting to hike incredibly tough peaks. These companies build camps at various elevations along the route so climbers can become better adjusted to the low oxygen levels and have a greater chance to reach their goal.

The threat of both altitude sickness and HACE — high altitude cerebral edema — are real dangers that can stop even the fittest mountaineers from reaching their goal, so patience is the most valuable tool for high altitude trekkers.

As a result, the entire climb, from base camp at 19,500 feet to the top of the world at 29,029 feet, takes about two months. Hikers climb and rest at four camps perched at ever increasing heights along the mountain. Once they reach the highest camp, it takes about a half day to master the last few thousand feet to the top.

A climber’s packing list includes a jacket, sleeping bag, ice ax, harness, special rope clips, a helmet, crampons, camp boots, hiking boots, gloves, hats, goggles, insulated pants, toilet paper, a first aid kit and water treatment tablets.

Additional items are supplied by guide companies like Alpine Ascents from Seattle. The guide company provides tents, oxygen regulators, ropes, pickets and a full-time medical staff to help with any range of ailments such as frostbite, altitude sickness and fatigue.

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Check these out

The Vernon Area Library in Lincolnshire suggests these titles on mountain climbing and Mt. Everest:

Ÿ “Mountaineering Adventures,” by Matt Doeden

Ÿ “Climbing Everest: Tales of Triumph & Tragedy,” by Audrey Salkeld

Ÿ “The Top of the World: Climbing Mount Everest,” by Steve Jenkins

Ÿ “Mountains: Surviving on Mt. Everest,” by Michael Sandler

Ÿ “Rock Climbing and Mountaineering,” by David Jefferis

Ÿ “Sacred Mountain: Everest,” by Christine Taylor-Butler