International Everest Day is a day of remembrance and celebration for the first successful summit of Mount Everest by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay in 1953. This year, on 29 May, people in Nepal and New Zealand observed International Everest Day to honor the bravery and determination of these two legendary climbers.
Mount Everest, standing tall at 29,029 feet, was officially declared the tallest mountain in the world in 1841 by a British survey team led by Sir George Everest. It was later named after him. The day serves as a tribute to the human spirit and endurance, highlighting the resilience and determination of individuals like Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa who dared to achieve the impossible.
To mark the occasion, people engage in various activities such as trekking, hill climbing, and other adventurous pursuits. It takes around two months for climbers to reach the summit of Mount Everest, making it a highly challenging and daunting task that only a few individuals can accomplish each year.
Some significant facts about Mount Everest include the presence of strong winds at the summit for most of the year, making climbing impossible during certain months. Over 4000 climbers have successfully reached the summit so far, with sherpas like Apa and Phurba Tashi holding records for multiple ascents. Additionally, Radhanath Sikdar, an Indian mathematician and surveyor, was the first to identify Everest as the tallest mountain.
The first climbers to conquer Everest’s peak, Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, were part of a British Expedition led by Colonel John Hunt. Their historic achievement continues to inspire adventurers and mountaineers around the world, making International Everest Day a day of reflection and admiration for their remarkable feat.