There have been plenty of deaths on Mount Everest. Until today, hundreds of people have lost their lives. Most of the deaths have been recorded and recovered, but some remain on Mount Everest. This shows the reminder that it is tough to climb the tallest mountain in the world. The major reason for deaths on Mount Everest has been overcrowding and a lack of experience in mountain climbing.
In the last 5 years, though, the number of fatalities has been reduced when we talk about Mount Everest. Even though the number of deaths has decreased, be sure that climbing Mount Everest is a tough task.
What is the Number of Deaths on Everest Every Year?
Since the first successful attempt of climbing Mount Everest in 1953 by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa, there have been thousands of attempts to climb the mountain. Approximately 800 climbers come to the peak yearly on average. In the decade between the year 2000 and 2019, the Everest claimed about 3.2 deaths. But the year 2023 became the most fatal, and the total amounted to 17 deaths.
According to the statistics of the Himalayan Database, over 340 climbers have lost their lives on the mountain Everest, in total. It is estimated that more than 200 corpses are still on the mountain, mostly due to the high risk posed by the process of retrieving them, the technical intricacies, and the high cost of the process.
Why is Climbing Mount Everest Dangerous?
There are so many deaths on Mount Everest that people question why climbing Mount Everest is so tough. Well, the answer is simple. It is the highest peak in the world, so reaching the top requires skill and dedication. The extreme altitude, along with the harsh weather and uneven trail, makes climbing Mount Everest almost impossible.
Even with the presence of the experienced team and great gear, it can be tough to climb the mountain. Most of the time, death is caused by altitude sickness and uneven weather conditions. From high winds to a drop in temperature, things never get easier at Mount Everest. Climbers will need to have high experience and knowledge to complete the Everest climb.
Causes of Death on Mount Everest
A lot of the readers might be confused as to why so many people die on Mount Everest. Well, there are so many reasons for it. The biggest reason is altitude sickness. With Everest being above 8000m, you could see Acute Mountain Sickness, which impacts the breathing system.
Even though supplemental oxygen can be used most of the time, it doesn’t meet the required demand. Ultimately, this results in psychological stress. Another reason is the avalanches. The uneven weather condition makes things harder. You could see avalanches most of the time. One of the worst avalanches in Everest climbing history came in 2014, killing 16 people.
Other reasons include falling during the process. The climbers might be all experienced, but once you fall on the steep, icy, uneven trails, you hardly survive for life.
Dead Bodies Landmark On Mount Everest
There are a lot of dead bodies that still lie in the Mount Everest region. One of the main reasons for that is the landmark signs. Yes, the dead bodies are used as landmarks on Mount Everest. The cost of getting the bodies down to base camp is very expensive. Not only that the risk associated with tracking the bodies down very high.
All of this results in bodies acting as the landmarks for other climbers. Some of the famous landmarks include Green Boots, who is Tsewang Paljor. He was discovered near the cave on the summit. Another famous landmark is the sleeping beauty of Mount Everest. You will find her body on the southeast ridge of the peak.
Sleeping Beauty is Francys Arsentie, who is an American climber. She lost her life in a 1998 climb. All of these bodies remind the climbers about how tough is Everest climb is and also keep the new climbers grounded.
Death Zone of Mount Everest
Yes, you read that right. Deaths on Mount Everest mostly happen in the Death Zone. This particular region comes right after 8000m. The oxygen level here is very low. All the climbers use supplemental oxygen, which doesn’t always provide enough at times. There are cases when the human body can’t acclimate.
Therefore, the time you spend above 8000m is very little. We plan the stay above 800m to be very low. The biggest issue at the death zone of Mount Everest is High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE), along with High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE). The death zone doesn’t leave anyone who takes the risk very lightly.
Freezing temperature, unpredictable weather, and steep, icy terrain are what increase the risk. The more time you spend above 8000m, could are to experience impaired judgement, poor mental capabilities, etc.
Why Are Death Bodies Left On Mount Everest?
Deaths on Mount Everest might be a common thing, but leaving the dead bodies at the top of the mountain is also very common. The retrieval of the bodies at such a high altitude is very tough. Extreme weather conditions, along with the weight of the bodies, make things very hard.
It is practically impossible, dangerous, inefficient, and whatnot. The weight of the frozen body can be around 136 kgs, which is hard to get down. Trying to bring the body down to the base camp could result in the death of the retriever, too. The logistics required to bring the body down will be tough to manage.
Uneven weather and always incoming avalanches could make the risky for others too. There have been practical examples of people losing their lives in trying to retrieve the bodies.
Deaths on Mount Everest: Explained
The first recorded death on Mount Everest was in 1922 AD. Since then, there have been plenty of deaths over time. The first deaths on the highest peak of the world were of Lhakpa, Norbu, Pasang, Pema, Sange, and Temba. Since 1922, there have been plenty of deaths on Mount Everest.
Talking statistically, there have been 300 deaths while attempting to climb Mount Everest. They have been due to high altitude, difficult terrain, less experience, and other factors. Over the last 20 years, however, the number of deaths has decreased significantly. Two out of three climbers successfully reach the summit of Everest. The improvement in the climbing rate is due to the experience, weather prediction, and other factors.
From 1990 to 2005, the success rate of Mount Everest climbs was 32.8%. However, this has increased to 66.5% in recent times. Even with the trekking and climbing guides, there has been an increase at a higher rate.
Tips To Climb Mount Everest Safely
We might have talked a lot about deaths on Mount Everest, but it is possible to keep yourself safe, too. The risk associated with climbing Mount Everest is high, but the ways to remain safe are there. Safety tips for climbing Mount Everest are:
- Proper gear and clothing
The most important thing in the Everest climb is the proper gear and clothing. If you aren’t able to layer your clothing properly, the cold might impact you badly. Also, the use of warm jackets, boots, and oxygen systems will help you to remain safe during the cold and thin air. Always use high-quality gear for the climb.
- Selection of the right team
Another key factor that makes the difference is the selection of the right agency. Any agency with major experience in Everest climbing could help you with the right tips and training. Not only that the experienced Sherpa guides and porters show you the way to perform the climb in the right manner.
- Training and Preparation
A critical part of performing the safe climb to Mount Everest is the training and preparation. You might be physically and mentally strong, but a lack of practice could be an issue. All the climbers must have proper training on the gear before making the climb. Before pushing for the highest mountain in the world, try and have smaller climbs and practice.
- Proper weather monitoring
Weather monitoring is important if you want to climb Mount Everest. There were plenty of deaths in the Everest climb, mainly due to the weather. It is unpredictable most of the time. Having said that the modern technologies help you to predict the changes in the weather pretty quickly. With an experienced team, you can predict storms and dangerous conditions very easily.
Conclusion:
The rate of deaths on Mount Everest might have decreased, but the risk always remains. You will have to be extra careful when choosing an agency to make for the Cimb. With the experience of the Sherpa and the proper guides, the journey will be slightly easier for you. But before jumping into the climbing option, practice well.
Be physically and mentally prepared to conquer the mountain. Choose an agency that can plan the overall journey better. Climbing Everest isn’t a one-week activity. It takes more than a month to climb Mount Everest successfully. So always try to acclimate better before reaching the top. Choose high-quality and the right gear, and get on the journey.