The Dangers of Climbing Mount Everest
Reaching the summit of the infamous Mount Everest is a feat only accomplished by a small number of dedicated individuals. To these adventurers, the exhilaration and sense of accomplishment is worth the enormous risks. Located in the Himalaya mountain range on the Nepal side of the Nepal-China border, Mount Everest reaches an elevation of more than 29,000 feet. To reach the peak, climbers must endure a grueling test of skill and endurance, as well as survive the area's severe climate.
Physical features
Only expert mountain climbers dare to scale the slopes of the world's greatest acme. The region's topography consists of jagged boulders, vertical cliffs and bottomless crevices. Snow and ice impede every step. To successfully negotiate such an inhospitable terrain requires a combination of top-notch equipment, vast experience and extreme caution.
Dangers of the extreme cold
The human body was simply not designed to withstand the elements of a high-altitude environment, especially one as unforgiving as Mount Everest. Extreme wind chill and frigid temperatures are major contributors to multiple conditions. Hypothermia and frostbite are two of the most formidable health hazards. The bitter cold drains a climber's body of heat faster than it build up, until blood ceases to flow. Snow and moisture make the hands and feet the most vulnerable.
Other physiological afflictions
Snow blindness and altitude sickness are also dangerous conditions when attempting to summit the mountain. Though somewhat preventable with the proper equipment, snow blindness occurs when the sun's glare reflects off of the snow and damages the eyes. Acute mountain sickness is caused by a lack of oxygen at high altitudes. Since Mount Everest is the highest point on earth, the level of oxygen is extremely low. Climbers suffering from altitude sickness experience symptoms such as dizziness, nausea and fatigue.
Climbing Mount Everest takes more than an iron will and a burning desire. Those who have managed to conquer this colossus did so through intense preparation. A plethora of hazards, both seen and unseen, await any soul brave enough to attempt to scale its peaks.