Mount Everest (Sagarmatha)

Mount Everest, known as Sagarmatha ('Forehead of the Sky') in Nepali and Chomolungma ('Mother Goddess of the World') in Tibetan, stands at 8,849 meters — the highest point on Earth. Located in the Mahalangur Himal sub-range of the Himalayas within Sagarmatha National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979), the mountain straddles the border between Nepal and Tibet.

First summited on May 29, 1953 by Tenzing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary, Everest has since been summited by over 6,500 individuals with more than 12,000 total ascents recorded. The South Col route from Nepal remains the most popular, beginning from Base Camp at 5,364m in the Khumbu Glacier. While technically moderate (PD+ on the Alpine scale), the extreme altitude above the 8,000m death zone, unpredictable weather, and the treacherous Khumbu Icefall make it one of the most dangerous climbs in the world.

The Everest Base Camp trek is one of the world's most famous treks, taking 12-14 days round trip from Lukla's Tenzing-Hillary Airport. Trekkers experience the spectacular Khumbu Valley, Sherpa culture, and increasingly dramatic mountain scenery culminating at Base Camp with views of the Khumbu Icefall. The best trekking seasons are March-May and September-November.

The climbing season is primarily April-May, when the jet stream lifts briefly above the summit. A full summit expedition typically takes around two months including acclimatization. The mountain claims several lives each year and has become a subject of debate regarding commercialization, overcrowding, and environmental impact.