The Majestic Ascent: Unveiling the True Height of Mount Everest from Base to Summit

Conquering the Clouds: Getting to Grips with Everest’s Real Height

Mount Everest. Just the name conjures up images of snow-capped peaks, intrepid climbers, and a challenge that pushes humanity to its absolute limits. Locally, it’s known as Sagarmatha in Nepal and Qomolangma in Tibet, and this giant of the Mahalangur Himal range straddles the border between Nepal and China, beckoning adventurers from every corner of the globe. But how tall is it, really? You might think it’s a simple question, but pinning down Everest’s exact height has been anything but straightforward, a story of evolving technology and the mountain’s own shifting geology.

So, what’s the official word? As of today, the number everyone agrees on is 8,848.86 meters (29,031.7 feet). Think about that for a second – nearly 9 kilometers straight up! This figure, declared jointly by Nepal and China in late 2020, is the result of some seriously impressive teamwork. It takes into account both the solid rock and the snow piled on top, using super-accurate GPS and radar to factor in any changes caused by plate tectonics and even earthquakes – you know, like that big one in Nepal back in 2015.

Getting to this definitive height was a real collaborative effort. Nepal did their own survey in 2019, and China followed suit in 2020. They used all the latest kit – Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), laser theodolites, the works – to get a measurement that’s been given the thumbs-up by top experts, including the folks at National Geographic. Pretty cool, huh?

Now, the story of measuring Everest’s height is a bit of a saga. Back in 1856, way before GPS was even a twinkle in someone’s eye, a guy called Andrew Waugh, who was the Surveyor General at the time, announced the first official height for “Peak XV” – that’s what they called Everest back then. His estimate? 8,840 meters (29,002 ft). Not bad for a bunch of trigonometry done from miles away!

Over the years, folks kept refining that number. In the early 1950s, the Survey of India used triangulation to get a height of 8,847.73 meters (29,028 ft). Then, in 1975, the Chinese came along and said it was 8,848.13 meters (29,029.30 ft), including the snow. For ages, everyone just went with 8,848 meters (29,029 ft).

But here’s where it got a bit sticky. Should we measure to the rock, or to the top of the snow? China and Nepal didn’t quite see eye-to-eye on this. In 2005, a Chinese expedition used radar to see through the ice and came up with a “rock height” of 8,844.43 meters (29,017.12 feet). Eventually, in 2010, they agreed to disagree, with everyone accepting the 8,848 m height, but Nepal acknowledging China’s rock height measurement.

Of course, before you even think about the summit, you’ve got to get to Base Camp. The South Base Camp, in Nepal, sits at a lofty 5,364 meters (17,598 feet). The North Base Camp, over in Tibet, China, is a tad higher at 5,150 meters (16,900 feet). These camps are vital for getting used to the altitude before you start the real climb. Most people head to the South Base Camp, mainly because it’s easier to get the permits you need. From there, climbers set up a series of higher camps as they inch their way up:

• Camp 1: 6,065 meters (19,900 ft) – things start getting serious here!
• Camp 2 (Advanced Base Camp): 6,500 meters (21,325 ft) – a bit more comfortable, but still pretty basic.
• Camp 3: 7,470 meters (24,500 ft) – now you’re really in the thin air.
• Camp 4 (South Col): 7,920 meters (26,000 ft) – the last stop before the big push.

Camp 4, perched in the infamous “death zone,” is where climbers make their final preparations for the summit attempt. It’s not for the faint of heart!

From the South Base Camp, you’re still looking at a climb of around 3,485 meters (11,433 feet) to reach the top. That’s a serious undertaking, with all sorts of dangers – thin air, tricky terrain, and weather that can change in a heartbeat. The “death zone,” above 8,000 meters, is particularly risky, and climbers need extra oxygen and a lot of experience to survive up there.

At the end of the day, Mount Everest’s height is more than just a number. It’s a symbol of our planet’s incredible geology and a testament to human courage and determination. While the official height is now set at 8,848.86 meters (29,031.7 feet), the story of how we got there is a reminder of how far we’ve come in terms of technology and our understanding of the world. Who knows, maybe future measurements will tweak that number a little, but one thing’s for sure: Everest will always be the king of the mountains.