Mount Everest

The world’s highest mountain peak, Mount Everest, lies in the Himalayan Range on the frontier of Nepal and Tibet, at an altitude of 29,028 feet (8,848 meters). Known as Chomolungma to the Tibetans and Sagarmatha to the Nepalese, its native names mean ‘Goddess Mother of the World’. Earlier known as Peak XV, Mount Everest is named after Sir George Everest, a British surveyor-general of India.

After umpteen attempts since 1920, it was only in 1953 that a British expedition reached the Everest summit. It was on May 29, 1953, that New Zealand climber Edmund Hillary and his Nepalese Sherpa guide Tenzing Norgay became the first men to stand atop the world’s highest mountain.

The vertical, steep rocks and treacherous ice fields of Everest are an irresistible and formidable challenge even to experienced climbers.

QUESTIONS:

Q. In which mountain range does Everest lie?

Q. What are the native names of Mount Everest?

Q. After whom was Mount Everest named?

Q. Name the first two men to stand atop the mountain.