17 Interesting Facts About Mount Everest

Everest climbing season is here. Summits are about to be had. Lives are about to be changed forever… for better or for worse.

Hillary & Tenzing during the 1st summit of Everest in 1953

MOUNT EVEREST FACTS

1. Everest grows 4mm higher every year due to geologic uplift.

2. 1 in 10 successful summits ends in death.

3. Over 4,000 people have attempted to climb Everest.

4. George Everest, Surveyor General of India from 1830 to 1843, discovered Everest in 1841.

5. Mount Everest is also home to a very minute black jumping spider. These spiders hide in crevices and feed on frozen insects. Their food depends largely upon what is blown by the wind into the specific area. They live as high as 22,000 feet.

6. Over 260 people have died on Everest (exact number unknown).

Mount Everest’s North Face

7. In 2014, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake triggered an avalanche that base camp killed 16 Sherpa and climbers and injured 61. This is the greatest tragedy ever seen on Everest.

In 2014, an avalanche killed 16 Sherpa above the Khumbu icefall. At the time this was the worst accident in Everest history.

During 1996, around 15 people lost their lives while trying to descend from the summit of Mount Everest (the 3rd most in one year). In 2012, 11 people perished on Everest (the 4th most).

8. Sir Edmund Hilary and Tenzing Norgay were the first to summit Everest, on May 19 1953.

9. Over 2000 people have reached the top of Everest.

10. There are around 120 dead bodies of climbers on the mountain.

11. Avalanches are the greatest cause of death for climbers scaling Everest (Avalanches at about a 2:1 ratio over falls).

12. The summit is just below the cruising height of a jet.

13. The youngest person to reach summit was 13 and the oldest was 80 (same guy who skied Everest in 1971).

Yuichiro Miura 2 days ago after his summit of Everest at age 80

14. In Nepal the mountain is called Sagarmatha, meaning ‘forehead of the sky’.

15. In Tibet the mountain is known as Chomolangma for ‘mother of the universe’

16. It is the highest mountain in the world at 29,035 feet, although its exact height is often disputed.

17. Everest was created about 60 million years ago.

Manaslu Trek

Understand
Get in
Stay safe

Manaslu Trek is in the Gorkha District of Nepal

Understand

The Manaslu Trek (or Manaslu Circuit Trek) is a 14-day tea-house trek which circumnavigates the 8th highest peak in the world (8,156 m). The trek has all the elements of other treks in Nepal including both Hindu and Buddhist culture, protected wildlife, rhododendrons and wild flowers, raging rivers, precarious bridges and stunning mountain scenery.
The trek is much easier than it used to be with greatly improved trails along the Budi Gandaki river gorge. In terms of difficulty, it is comparable with the Annapurna Circuit Trek or Everest Base Camp trek. Its highlight is undoubtedly the spectacular unhindered views of Manaslu.
Just over 2,000 people complete the trek per year with more than half visiting in October. This is substantially fewer than visiting Annapurna, Everest or Langtang. There are two main reason for the fewer numbers.
The first reason is that the trek used to require camping, as there were too few tea-houses along the trail. In particular there was no lodge below the Larkya La (a pass at 5135m) requiring an enforced night of camping. This is no longer the case. Since 2010 there is a tea-house below the pass and all the way up from the starting point. A few of the tea-houses are still basic compared to counterparts on the Annapurna Circuit, but most are comfortable.
The second reason is that the trek has restricted area status. This means it requires a special permit (see below), that the group have two or more members and that a registered trekking guide accompanies the group. In 2011, for Nepal Tourism Year, the permit fee was reduced to US$50 per week.
These two factors together have made the trek affordable for budget travellers and it is now being referred to as The New Annapurna Circuit.

Accomodation

Manaslu region is still under development for tourism business. In the past, visiting the remote parts of Nepal was only possible by camping trekking for adventure holidays. Due to the increasing number of travelers, small lodges in the major places are being developed. So, now you can trek by staying on local lodges (tea houses) without camping in this famous trekking area. Manaslu trekking can be done either way - staying at lodges (tea-houses) or camping.

Prepare

You have to arrange this trek though a registered trekking agency, even though you may just be two people with a single guide. The agency is necessary for arranging the permit, as individual tourists are not permitted to do that.

Restricted Area Permit
In addition to the restricted area permits are permits for two national parks and a general trekking permit. September to November per week per person US $ 70 and after Per Person 10 US $ each extra day. December to August per week per person US $ 50 and after Per Person 7 US $ each extra day. which must be bought through a registered trekking agent Normally only one week is needed from Jagat to Dharapani if not visiting Tsum Valley.

Manaslu Conservation Area Project (MCAP) permit: NRs. 2,000 (approx 20 Euro or US$30)
Annapurna Conservation Area Project (MCAP) permit: NRs. 2,000 (approx 20 Euro or US$30)
TIMS card : US$10 (No necessary TIMS around Manaslu Conservation Area when you have a restricted area permit !) But must required if you change your mind to go Annapurna Circuit.

Prepare as you would for any other trek equipment-wise. Water purification such as chlorine (drops or tablets), iodine or a portable filter will be needed. Get fit.

Get in

The trek generally starts at Arughat. This is a simple 5-6 hour micro-bus ride from Kathmandu Dhading Bus Station or new bus park costing around US$7.Local bus leave early in the morning. There are several local buses leave in the morning. Their is not any advance booking. local agency will provide you the bus ticket. Also possible to share a Private Jeep from Kathmandu to Arughat. some of local transport company will arrange.

Go/Walk/Drive/...

Check the online Manaslu Trek map [] to understand the locations mentioned in the itinerary.
Travel from Kathmandu to Arughat [600m good lodges]. The bus, or a local jeep, may take you further than Arughat depending on the state of the road ahead. Sleep there or continue to Arket [750m basic lodges] or Soti Khola [800m basic lodges] to get a head start. Otherwise the standard itinerary with days of 6 hours or less of walking is as follows:

Arughat to Soti Khola, 5h [800m basic lodges]
Soti Khola to Machha Khola, 5h (Fish River) [1000m good lodges]
Machha Khola to Jagat, 6h(Jagat means tax collection point) [1400m good lodge (25 rooms 50 pax) ]
Jagat to Deng, 6h [1860m good lodge called Manaslu Trekkers Home (20 rooms 40 pax)]
Deng to Namrung, 6h [2600m reasonable lodges]
Namrung to Lho, 4h [3100m reasonable] or Shyala [3500m basic]
To Samagaon, 2h [3500m good]
Rest day in Sama – Manaslu Basecamp excursion optional
Samagaon to Samdo, 4h [3800m reasonable lodges]
Samdo – excursion up to Tibetan border recommended.
Samdo to Larkya Phedi, 4h [4460m good lodge (64 pax)] Note that this lodge may close during November, as occurred in 2013. If accommodation is not available at the lodge then an early start from Samdo, e.g. 2am, and long day will be needed to reach Bimtang.
Cross the pass and reach Bimtang, 8h [3700m good lodges]
Bimtang to Tilje, 6h [2100m good lodges]
Tilje to Jagat, 6h (roadhead, sleep or jeep to Besisahar depending on time) [1300m good lodges]
Besisahar [800m good lodges] – Public transport departs from here.

Variations

It is also possible to start from Gorkha Bazaar which is quicker to reach from Kathmandu on a smoother road. You can find onward transport to Barpak, where there is accommodation, and continue via Larpak to join the main trek. A side trip to Tsum Valley is also possible. This used to require camping or pre-arranged homestays, but can now be done as a teahouse trek, staying at lodges (though facilities are more basic than on the main trekking route). Itineraries can be as short as 10 days, excluding rest days, or as much as 21 days, taken at a relaxing pace with plenty of exploring.
It is also entirely possible to combine with the Annapurna Ciruit: from Dharapani, continue to Manang and over the Thorung La at speed having already acclimatized. Then fly or bus out from Jomson to Pokhara. Others options include the trek to Nar and Phu, taking advantage of trek-earned acclimatisation and fitness.

Day trips

Popular day trips include a visit to Manaslu basecamp from Samagaon and a hike to the border with Tibet which is a 5 hour return trip from Samdo.

Stay safe

The principal danger is altitude, specifically going too high too quickly. Taking a day for acclimatisation at Samagaon, Samdo, or Larkya Phedi may be helpful. Follow these instructions for altitude sickness prevention.
Another serious danger is being pushed off the trail by donkeys, which has resulted in the deaths of some trekkers. Be alert for the bells of approaching donkeys and make sure you are on the inside of the trail, out of the way of donkeys, and wait until they have passed before proceeding. There are also cases of trekkers being blown off of trails by wind.
Cold and wind can be dangerous, so suitable clothing is essential. Snow and ice may be a problem at the Larkya Lal Pass, and some trail sections and stream crossings may be icy, especially in November or later. Trekking poles and light crampons (aka minispikes) can be very helpful in reducing the risk of slipping, particularly on the steep descent after crossing the pass. Gaiters may be helpful in deep snow or blowing snow.
Himalayan Rescue Association is an organization arranging / planning for emergency evacuations in the mountains.

Get out

Finally take a bus from Besisahar to return to Kathmandu, or continue onward to Pokhara. or If you still have got time and interested for Annapurna Circuit Trek (Thorong-la Pass) 5416 m, rather coming back to Besesahar, you can right start your trek to Annapurna From Dharapani. But do not forget to bring your TIMS Card permit. Because your restricted permit will not valid any more. But the good things is your ACAP permit is still valid. For the information whether you will make a Annapurna Circuit or not you need to buy ACAP permit in advance, because after Manaslu you end up your trip in Annapurna region the reason why it's required. so why not if you have time another adventure. Maximum in 1 week more you will reach to Pokhara. If you are independent traveller you could simply carry on without your guide or porter from Dharapani and head towards to Thorong-la your own. Annapurna region doesn't require a guide to be with you as long as you have necessary the documents with you. But make sure because of the Nepal Government role Manaslu Trek is not allow with out a guide.

This itinerary is an outline and needs more content. It has a template, but there is not enough information present for it to be of real use. It was last edited on 2016-02-22 and will be deleted if not modified for one year. Please plunge forward and rescue it!

Facts About Nepal

With its ancient culture and the Himalayas as a backdrop, landlocked Nepal was closed to the outside world until the 1950s.

Since then the country has seen the creation of a multi-party parliamentary system, a decade-long Maoist insurgency and the abolition of its monarchy.

Flanked by China and India, it is home to eight of the world's highest mountains including Mount Everest, known locally as Sagarmatha.

As one of the world's poorest countries, Nepal's economy relies heavily on aid and tourism.

A devastating earthquake in April 2015 killed thousands of people, flattened villages and reduced numerous heritage sites to ruin.

Since then political infighting has delayed much of the reconstruction despite billions of dollars having been pledged.

The territory of Nepal has a recorded history since the Neolithic age. The name "Nepal" is first recorded in texts from the Vedic Age, the era which founded Hinduism, the predominant religion of the country. In the middle of the first millennium BCE, Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, was born in southern Nepal. Parts of northern Nepal were intertwined with the culture of Tibet. The Kathmandu Valley in central Nepal became known as Nepal proper because of its complex urban civilisation. It was the seat of the prosperous Newar confederacy known as Nepal Mandala. The highest elevation in Nepal is Mount Everest, Earth's highest mountain, rising 8,848 m (29,029 ft) above sea level. The Himalayan branch of the ancient Silk Road was dominated by the valley's traders. The cosmopolitan region developed distinct traditional artand architecture. By the 18th century, the Gorkha Kingdom achieved the unification of Nepal. The Shah dynastyestablished the Kingdom of Nepal and later formed an alliance with the British Empire, under its Rana dynasty of premiers. The country was never colonised but served as a buffer state between Imperial China and Colonial India. In the 20th century, Nepal ended its isolation and forged strong ties with regional powers. Parliamentary democracy was introduced in 1951, but was twice suspended by Nepalese monarchs in 1960 and 2005. The Nepalese Civil War resulted in the proclamation of a republic in 2008, ending the reign of the world's last Hindu monarchy.

Modern Nepal is a federal secular parliamentary republic. It has seven states. Nepal is a developing nation, ranking 144thon the Human Development Index (HDI) in 2016. The country struggles with the transition from a monarchy to a republic. It also suffers from high levels of hunger and poverty. Despite these challenges, Nepal is making steady progress, with the government declaring its commitment to elevate the nation from least developed country status by 2022. Nepal also has a vast potential to generate hydropower for export.

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