Mount Everest. Just the name conjures images of icy cliffs, swirling winds, and the relentless drive of those determined to reach its summit. Standing at 8,848 meters, it has been the backdrop for more than a hundred years of human adventure—an epic saga of ambition, loss, and undying hope.
Since 1921, over 12,800 summits have been logged. Some climbers have reached the top more than once, defying gravity and fear. Nepal, the gateway to Everest’s south face, has issued more than 9,000 summit permits. But behind every license is a person, a story, and often, a risk that money can’t measure.
The Pioneers: Mallory and Irvine’s Final Ascent
It was 1924. George Mallory and Andrew Irvine were not just climbing a mountain—they were chasing a dream that had never been realized. On June 8, they vanished high up on Everest, swallowed by the snow. Their disappearance became one of the greatest mysteries in mountaineering.
Before he left, Mallory wrote a letter to his wife, Ruth. It was filled with longing, courage, and the quiet hope that this journey would not be their last. When his body was discovered 75 years later, one question remained: had they made it to the top before they were lost to the mountain? No one knows for sure. A missing camera might hold the answer, still buried in the ice.
Overlooked Sacrifices: The Role of Early Nepali Climbers
In the shadows of famous names are the Nepali climbers—brave souls whose stories are rarely told. In that same 1924 expedition, Lance Naik Shamsher Pun and a cobbler named Man Bahadur died while supporting Mallory and Irvine’s mission. Few outside the mountaineering world know their names.
Go back a little further to 1922, and seven Sherpas lost their lives in an avalanche. It was Everest’s first major tragedy. Their sacrifices paved the way for every expedition that followed, yet their legacy remains largely unsung.
British Ambitions and the Third Pole Concept
By the early 20th century, explorers had stood at both poles. The British, determined to add Everest to their list of achievements, called it the "Third Pole." It was seen not just as a mountain, but as a symbol—a test of will, a crown of conquest.
At the time, climbing Everest seemed as distant and improbable as space travel. But the mountain had already started calling to those willing to risk everything.
Historic Milestone: The 1953 First Successful Summit
Then came 1953. The world watched as Edmund Hillary of New Zealand and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa of Nepal reached the summit for the first time. Years of heartbreak, frozen nights, and failed attempts had finally led to triumph.
Earlier, Mallory believed that the southern route from Nepal might be the key, but the country was closed to foreigners. After World War II, the door opened, and with it came a new era of possibility.
Climbing Today: Technology, Crowds, and Peril
Today’s climbers have better gear and satellite forecasts. Yet Everest is no safer. In 1996, a sudden storm killed eight climbers, revealing how quickly things can go wrong at the world's top.
In 2006, David Sharp was found dying in the “death zone.” Dozens passed him, unable—or unwilling—to help. His death raised challenging questions about ethics, survival, and what we owe each other in life’s most extreme moments.
Forgotten Lives: Nepali Losses and Global Silence
Books and documentaries celebrate foreign climbers. But what of the 135 Nepalis who’ve died on Everest? In 2014, 14 Sherpas were buried by an avalanche. A year later, 11 more were lost in the earthquake that shook the base camp.
They weren’t just helpers—they were heroes. And their stories deserve to be remembered.
Everest Today: Numbers, Challenges, and Fatalities
By 2025, Everest had seen 12,884 successful climbs. But it had also claimed more than 340 lives. According to the Himalayan Database:
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68.4% of deaths were due to altitude sickness and health issues
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26.1% from falls
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5.4% from avalanches and other disasters
Inexperience, overcrowding, and a rush to set records have only made things more dangerous.
National Identity and the Sherpa Legacy
Everest is Nepal’s pride and symbol on the global stage. But for many Nepalis, it’s also a source of sorrow. The Sherpas who carry loads, fix ropes, and guide others to the top have paid the highest price—often without the recognition they deserve.
It’s time for Nepal to invest in the safety, welfare, and honor of those who make these climbs possible. The Sherpa legacy is not just a part of Everest’s story—it is its heartbeat.
Key Statistics: Mount Everest (as of 2025)
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Total Ascents: 12,884 successful summits recorded
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Total Climbers: Over 6,500 individual climbers (many with multiple ascents)
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Total Deaths: More than 340 fatalities on Everest
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Death Rate: Approximately 1 in every 33 climbers dies attempting the summit
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Nepali Fatalities: At least 135 Nepali climbers have died, including many Sherpas
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Major Causes of Death:
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68.4% from altitude sickness and medical complications
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26.1% from falls
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5.4% from avalanches and natural disasters
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Most Fatal Year: 2015 – 22 people died, including 11 at base camp due to the Nepal earthquake
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Most Recent Permit Year (2025): 456 climbers issued summit permits from Nepal
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Record Fastest Ascent: Babu Chhiri Sherpa – 16 hours and 56 minutes (without oxygen)
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Longest Time Spent on Summit (No Oxygen): Babu Chhiri Sherpa – 21 hours on the summit without supplemental oxygen
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First Ascent: Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay on May 29, 1953
Conclusion
Everest isn’t just a mountain. It’s a metaphor for everything we strive for and everything we fear. It’s about pushing boundaries, chasing dreams, and honoring those who gave everything to go just a little higher.
Over 104 years, Everest has been a battleground of ego and endurance, a monument to sacrifice, and a canvas for human stories. Long after footprints in the snow fade, the tales of those who dared will echo in the silence above the clouds.
