70 years since the first Everest Summit—the allure behind climbing Everest

The first confirmed ascent of Mount Everest, the highest peak in the world, was achieved on May 29, 1953, by Sir Edmund Hillary of New Zealand and Tenzing Norgay, a Nepali sherpa. They reached the summit as part of the British expedition led by John Hunt.

When it comes to Mount Everest, it’s not just climbing a mountain. This historic achievement marked a significant milestone in mountaineering history, that is, it opened doors to the rest of the world to climb the highest peak. And that’s no joke.


Climbing the height of 8,849 m, and facing all sorts of physical difficulties, Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay stepped foot at a place where no one had gone before. It’s no surprise that right after the feat, both of them became household names. After them, in 70 years, more than 6000 climbers have made the attempt. Some were successful, while many even lost their lives.


Fast forward seven decades and what we have today is a grand celebration in Nepal, and inauguration of Sir Edmund Hillary Visitor’s Centre in Khumjung, and a museum in Tenzing Norgay’s name in Namche, the main hub for all Mount Everest climbers.



Amidst celebrations, top Nepali climbers and sherpas were also felicitated. Kami Rita Sherpa (record holder for most Everest ascents) and Sanu Sherpa (only person to climb all 14 highest mountains twice) were among the climbers who were honoured.

Also read: Bookmark this! Nepal’s Khumbu region is a treasure trove of unique attractions

The allure of conquering the highest point on Earth appeals to many adventurers and climbers who seek to push their physical and mental limits. But climbing Everest presents an extreme mountaineering challenge.


The mountain's harsh weather conditions, unpredictable avalanches, treacherous terrain, and low oxygen levels make it a highly demanding and dangerous endeavour. Yet, it is something irresistible for many.