## TL;DR

Mount Everest (8,848.86m / 29,031.7ft) is Earth's highest mountain above sea level, on the Nepal-Tibet (China) border. First ascent: Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay (May 29, 1953). Over 6,000 people have summited; ~330 have died trying. Commercial expeditions (1990s+) dramatically increased summit attempts.

## Core Explanation

Death zone: above 8,000m, oxygen insufficient for human survival — even with supplemental O₂, body deteriorates. Key dangers: altitude sickness (HAPE/HACE), avalanches, crevasses, exposure, summit fever. Two main routes: South Col (Nepal, easier), North Col (Tibet). Traffic jams: 2019 photo of climbers queueing near summit sparked regulation debate. Helicopters cannot fly above ~6,500m — rescue extremely difficult.

## Further Reading

- [Into Thin Air (Jon Krakauer)](https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/306270/into-thin-air-by-jon-krakauer/)