History of Climbing Everest

Updated September 9, 2022 | Infoplease Staff

Everest Almanac

 

Our guide to the world's highest peak: those who have climbed it, measured it, written about it, and died because of it.

A History of Climbing Everest

A mountaineering history chronicling the feats of Mallory and Irvine, Hillary and Tenzing, Messner, and Habeler.

Measuring Mountains: The World's Highest Peak and Past Pretenders to the Throne

At one time, the world thought that the Andean peak Chimboraso—a mere 20,561 feet tall—was the highest. Since then, there have been numerous pretenders to the throne (as late as 1986!) looking for the chance to topple Everest.

Growing Pains: Adjusting to Everest's New Height

If the number 29,028 is seared into your mind along with 1066, 1492, and other seemingly immutable figures, get ready for a big change in the holy canon of statistics.

Everest Timeline

From the first British reconnaissance party trying to map out a route to Everest in the 1920s to Appa Sherpa and Phurba Tashi's record-breaking 21st climb in 2013 to the most recent news from the peak.

View of Everest from Mera Peak

Climbing the World's Fourteen 8,000-meter Peaks

Other than Everest, there are thirteen mountains higher than 8,000 meters. Find out who climbed each of them first. Or click here for a list of all mountains above 20,000 feet.

The Seven Summits

If the idea of the highest fourteen peaks is enough to induce the early signs of pulmonary edema, check out the slightly less rigorous mountaineering feat of climbing the Seven Summits—the highest mountains on each continent. More than 200 climbers have summited all seven.

Everest Trivia

Amaze your friends! Stump the Sherpas! Little known facts about the world's highest peak.

Editor's Picks: Favorite Web Sites

Everest encyclopedias, news sites, photo galleries, and other Web sites of interest to Everest fans.

Recommended Reading about Everest

Our recommendations of the best books for Everest fans.

Mount Everest Quiz and Crossword

Everest encyclopedias, news sites, photo galleries, and other Web sites of interest to Everest fans.


 
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