Mount Everest has killed over 300 people because of its hauntingly icy winds and steep sedimentary ledges. Its height reaches a colossal 29,032 feet, being the tallest mountain in the world. Yet the question is, do YOU think you could summit this Himalayan peak? 

“Absolutely not!” said Mrs. Piper. “Summiting any mountain is a feat, but Mt. Everest can become a bottleneck of hikers on a precipitous spine with high winds, unpredictable weather, freezing temps, and low oxygen.” It’s no easy conquest as she said, and Mr. Derda seemed to be on the same page with her: “No way! I am too old and out of shape to make the climb. Perhaps when I was 30 or younger, but now I get tired just thinking about mountains, let alone climbing them.”

Yet on the other hand, one of our other Apex science teachers, Mrs. Adams thought otherwise. “Yes, I believe I could summit Everest with training. I plan on climbing Annapurna next year with some friends, same mountain chain, but not as tall.” Mount Annapurna (26,545 ft) actually happens to be the tenth tallest mountain in the world, making it well known for its incredibly difficult ascent.

Nepal has been desperate for more coverage on its growing environmental and human safety concerns on Mount Everest. Traffic lingers in the ‘danger zone’ of Mt. Everest as people must wait in a risky single file line for hours before they can continue their journey. Even worse, trash litters the ground at camp locations since climbers don’t want to lug their excess garbage. 

“I think there needs to be a reform on who and how many people can attempt to summit Everest.” says Apex science teacher, Mrs. Adams. “I also believe that there should be requirements for taking everything you packed back out with you. In regular hiking, the idea is that anything you take in you also take out, but with Everest, that isn’t the practice.”  

To attempt to control these ongoing issues, Nepal is enforcing new rules for climbers, like a requirement to show a certificate that they have once submitted at least 7,000 meters, and increasing the cost of the climbers permit by 36%.

Personally, climbing Everest would be an incredible experience and something I can only dream of doing, but I have to agree with Mrs. Piper: “While exploring the Himalayan Water Towers intrigues me, my lungs and I will stick to climbing to the fourth floor for now.” I truly hope that more action continues to go towards the environmental improvement of this rare and majestic mountain.