How Many People Have Climbed Mount Everest?

Overview Of Mount Everest

Everest is the world's tallest mountain, a dream destination for adventurers and mountaineers. The peak of Mount Everest stands at 8,848.48 meters above sea level. 

Similarly, reaching Everest at its top has always been very difficult for climbers. Edmund Hillary from New Zealand and Nepali Tenzing Norgay were the first people to climb and complete the first successful summit of Everest. From then onwards, thousands of climbers have dared to reach the top of Everest, but very few of them have accomplished it.

Likewise, the Everest Expedition is done in the Himalayas of Nepal and can generally be completed in about two months. The expedition starts with a trek to the Everest Base Camp, which completes in two weeks. After that, mountaineers will take a few weeks to accustom to the altitude there and prepare for the summit.

Assurance of success is only sometimes there while climbing Everest, as it is very tough. However, the experience is truly special; those who succeed will remember it for the rest of their lives.

Why Do People Desire To Climb Mount Everest?

There are numerous motivations for people to climb Everest, including the personal challenges involved, the sense of success gained from doing so, and the appeal of the mountain's vast height and magnificence.

Climbing Everest presents a challenging opportunity for climbers to push themselves beyond their limits, both physically and mentally. It takes a lot of physical preparation, stamina, mental fortitude, and the capacity to deal with dangers like bad weather and altitude sickness.

Many climbers are drawn to the feeling of accomplishment that comes with successfully summiting Mount Everest. And scaling a mountain is one of the greatest challenges a person can undertake, and reaching the summit can profoundly affect a person's life.

In addition, many adventurers are drawn to Everest because of its distinctive cultural and historical significance. The mountain has a long tradition of serving as a metaphor for human endurance and perseverance and is full of tales of great climbers and daring achievements.

Last but not least, for some climbers, the appeal of Everest is simply the chance to witness its majesty and natural splendor firsthand. The mountain is well known for its breathtaking views and dramatic terrain, and many people get attracted to the challenge of visiting this breathtaking area.

Notable Climbers Of Mount Everest

Numerous climbers have made history on Mount Everest. Some of the most well-known figures who have impacted the history of mountain climbing are as follows.

1. Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay: The duo became the first to ascend Mount Everest, successfully securing their place in history.

2. Reinhold Messner: In 1978, he set a new record by ascending Mount Everest without additional oxygen. In 1980, he made history by climbing the mountain alone for the first time.

3. Junko Tabei: She was the first Japanese mountaineer to scale Mount Everest, making history in 1975.

4. Ang Rita Sherpa: He climbed Mount Everest ten times without additional oxygen, earning him the nickname "snow leopard."

5. Apa Sherpa: With a remarkable 21 successful ascents, he holds the global record for the most summits of Mount Everest.

6. Sir Ranulph Fiennes: He is a British mountaineer who, at 65 years old, became the oldest person from Britain to summit Mount Everest. He accomplished this in 2009.

7. Ueli Steck: In 2012, the Swiss climber broke previous records by ascending Mount Everest in under 29 hours without additional oxygen.

8. Kami Rita Sherpa: He is a fellow mountaineer from Nepal. He holds the global record for the most successful summit of Mount Everest. As of 7 May 2022, he had made it to the summit 26 times.

9. Erik Weihenmayer: In 2001, American climber Erik Weihenmayer, who is blind, made history by being the first person with visual impairment to reach the summit of Mount Everest.

10. Yuichiro Miura: He created history by ascending Mount Everest as the oldest climber at 80.

Climbing Mount Everest Today

Today, climbing Mount Everest is much easier than it was in the past. Improved technology, better equipment, and better weather forecasting have all contributed to the success rate of climbers. However, it is still dangerous and should only be attempted with extensive preparation.

A new restriction imposed by the Nepalese government restricts the number of individuals who can attempt the climb each year. It has been done to reduce overcrowding and to ensure that climbers are properly prepared. Despite these restrictions, the number of people who have successfully climbed Mount Everest continues to rise.

When Is The Best Time To Climb Mount Everest?

Some seasoned climbers claim that there is always time for mountaineering. Thus, April to June is the most suitable time to attempt the summit of Everest. The pathways leading to the Base Camp are especially fascinating due to the awakening of nature.

Some clouds may appear in May, so you may not see the beautiful scenes and views. May is the warmest month, and if you do not like the cold, this month is most favorable for you to trek and go on expeditions.

How Dangerous Is Climbing Mount Everest?

According to the Himalayan Database, there are death records of more than 300 people while climbing Everest. Everest Expedition is an operation that should be prepared in detail. Climbers must invest a lot of time before setting out on a Himalayan climbing adventure to build their stamina and become acclimated to the terrible climatic conditions, which include extremely low temperatures and decreased oxygen levels at higher elevations.

Everest's highest mountain is 29,029 feet (8,848.48 meters) above sea level. In the expedition, the climbers must enter the Death Zone, 8000 meters above. The atmosphere's oxygen content drops by 40% in that area. 

Climbers generally spend several weeks climbing Mount Everest so their bodies become acclimated to the higher altitude. We cannot get enough oxygen for the human body at higher altitudes. As a result, climbing Everest is dangerous. Some dangerous symptoms are high altitude cerebral edema (HACE), difficulty thinking, frostbite, and High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE).

How Many People Have Climbed Mount Everest?

Each year, numerous individuals endeavor to ascend Mount Everest to reach the summit of the highest mountain in the world. Unfortunately, not all of them return safely, which is sad. We can hear about many deaths while climbing Mount Everest. The major causes of death of climbers are bad weather, limited oxygen, and climbers' injuries. 

Over the years, increased climbing activity on Mount Everest has occurred following the disaster. As of December 2021, there have been 10,656 successful summits of Everest on all routes, achieved by 6,098 individuals.

The more popular path to climb Mount Everest is from the Nepalese side rather than to the Tibetan side. But it's also connected to higher mortality rates and fatality rates. From 1921 to 2021, 305 individuals, including 186 climbers and 119 Sherpas, died on Everest. On average, four people have died yearly since the first Everest attempt in 1921. However, from 2011 to 2021, the average annual death toll increased to 6.5.

Regarding the number of summits and deaths, the Nepalese side has seen more activity, with 7,023 successful summits and 195 deaths, translating to a death rate of 2.9% or 1.16 deaths per climb. Meanwhile, the Tibet side has recorded 3,633 successful summits and 110 deaths, resulting in a death rate of 3.0% or 1.09 deaths per climb.

Moreover, as of January 2023, the number of people who have climbed Mount Everest and reached the summit is 6338. According to the database, out of the total summits, 1,756 summits are made by Nepal, 748 by the USA, and 526 by India. Apart from the top 3 countries, other countries have also made fewer summits. 

Kami Rita Sherpa of Nepal has climbed Everest successfully 26 times today and became the climber to complete the maximum number of summits globally. Likewise, according to The Himalayan Database, Ngima Nuru Sherpa gave 20 ascents until 2021.

As of now, more than 6500 people climbed Mount Everest, and the number is increasing yearly. The trek to Everest is becoming easier with facilities of better equipment, a great navigation system, and technological support from the Government of Nepal. There are records that even physically challenged people too climbed Mount Everest.

Conclusion

Since its first successful ascent in 1953, more than 10,000 people have climbed Mount Everest. Despite its dangers and restrictions, the number of people attempting the climb continues to rise yearly. Mount Everest remains one of the most sought-after achievements in the world and will continue to be a symbol of accomplishment and success for years to come.