Mount Everest

Executive summary by darmansjah

The world’s highest peak stands 29,035 feet (8,850 m).

NEPAL Some 325 million years ago, Mount Everest was the floor of the ancient Tethys Sea. But about 60 million years ago, the tectonic plate carrying India collided with the Eurasian plate, forcing the ocean floor against the Asian landmass, squeezing and thrusting it slowly, giving rise to the Himalaya mountain range 25 million years ago. The grandly named Great Trigonometric Survey, begun by Sir George Everest in 1830, measured the mountain for the first time, and in 1852 declared it the highest point of Earth-a lofty 29,035 feet (8,850 m). it was not until 101 years later, in 1953, that Edmund Hillary, a New Zealand beekeeper, and Tenzing Norgay, a Sherpa, became the first people known to reach the summit.

Because It is There

Flanked by prayer flags, a mountaineer watches sunset light gild the top of Mount Everest from the vantage point of Gokyo Ri, in Khumbu, Nepal.

Top of The World

Mount Everest’s summit, seen here from base camp, is frequently shrouded in clouds. At 25,000 feet (7,620 m), climbers press on toward the peak.