11 Amazing Mount Everest Facts for Kids [UPDATED Facts]
Ah! The Mount Everest! Everyone knows about the highest mountain peak in the world. I am sure your little ones have heard of this mountain peak.
Does it also bring many questions to their little, curious minds? Do they want to know more about this structure of nature?
Do not worry. We got you covered for any questions that your kids might have in this article, ‘11 Amazing Mount Everest Facts for Kids.’
11 Most Interesting & Fun Facts about Mount Everest for Kids
Mount Everest is the highest mountain peak in the world. Located in Nepal, Mount Everest marks the border of Nepal and Tibet. Over the last few years, numerous people have climbed the world’s highest mountain peak and numerous have tried to do the same.
Mt. Everest is a part of the massive Himalayan range. The Himalayas is the largest mountain range that stretches across Southern Asia. The northern part of the Indian subcontinent is covered with this massive range.
Now, that a little background has been given. Let us get into some interesting facts about Mount Everest.
1. Mount Everest grows taller every year!
Alright! Now, how do explain to your little one that a mountain peak is growing taller every year? Yes, it is true! The plates under the surface of the earth, called the tectonic plates are in constant motion.
This results in constant pressure at the roots of Mount Everest. This constant pressure results in Mount Everest growing taller every year by at least 44 millimetres.
2. There is a mountain peak taller than Mount Everest!
You might be thinking how that is even possible. After all, we are always taught that the highest peak in the world is Mount Everest. However, what is not added to that information is that Mount Everest is the highest peak in the world, ON LAND.
The oceans are large and unexplored for the most part. But, we have been able to find another mountain peak, underwater, which is taller than Mount Everest. This is Mauna Kea, which is mostly underwater.
3. It takes about 40 days to climb Mount Everest
It takes a little over a month to climb Mount Everest. However, this time can be shortened if one takes little rest breaks. These little breaks are extremely important as otherwise, climbers can have serious bodily injuries, including death.
The body takes a lot of time to adjust to the weather on the mountain. There is only a third of oxygen at the peak and hence, rests between treks are extremely important.
4. The fastest climb to Mount Everest is 10 hours and 56 minutes!
Yes. You read that one right! I know it might seem like a contradiction to the previous point but this record is held by Lakpa Gelu Sherpa. This person climbed Mount Everest from the southern side with the base camp in Nepal.
This climb was from the base camp to the top and was recorded at 10 hours and 56 minutes. This is an extraordinary achievement indeed.
5. Mount Everest is over 60 million years
Are you ready for not just one, but two facts that will blow your mind? Firstly, as already mentioned, Mount Everest is over 60 million years old. Secondly, the Himalayas, including Mount Everest were formed when the landmass of India crashed into Asia!
The land was previously a part of the continent of Africa but because of the shift of the tectonic plates, it got separated and merged with Asia. This merging with massive force pushed up the lands which form the Himalayas now!
6. Mount Everest has 2 heights!
Mount Everest is shared by two countries- Nepal and China. Nepal owns the southern side of the mountain while China holds the northern side. Both these countries calculate the height of the mountain in a different way.
From the point of view of China, Mount Everest is about 8846.86 metres; this is including the snow cover. From the point of view of Nepal, Mount Everest is 8844.43 metres; this is the height of the mountain rock without any snow cover.
7. The climate on Mount Everest is one of the harshest in the world
The climate on Mount Everest is extremely harsh. We already know that as we go up a mountain or a hill, the weather starts getting colder. From 5300 metres, the mountain is covered in snow all year round. It has strong winds and violent storms almost all day.
People who climb Mount Everest need to wear specially designed warm clothes and goggles to makes sure they are not exposed to frostbite and suffer from snow blindness.
8. There are no species on top of Mount Everest
One might wonder what exactly lives on the highest point of land on earth. Well, the simple answer is this- nothing. Nothing survives in one of the harshest weather on the planet. There are no signs of any life form on the peak of the mountain- flora or fauna.
9. 300 people have died on Mount Everest
A rather grim reality, there are many people who have died while on the road to conquer Mount Everest. People need to be extremely careful when they climb this mountain peak.
As already stated, the weather is one of the harshest ones in the world. And the human body is extremely fragile. This has resulted in the death of about 300 people on Mount Everest.
10. There is a 2 ‘o’clock rule while climbing Mount Everest
Another interesting fact about Mount Everest is that there is a 2 ‘o’clock rule while climbing it. Due to the harsh and extremely unpredictable weather, climbers are asked to reach the summit by 2 pm.
If they are unable to do that, they are asked to return to camp and not trek any further. As the light fades, the temperature drops significantly and it becomes really difficult to trek further.
11. Kami Rita Sherpa has climbed Mount Everest the most times
Kami Rita Sherpa is one person who has climbed Mount Everest 24 times! Yes, you read that right. Not only that, he is an avid mountain climber and climbed other mountains too which are higher than 8000 m.
Mt. Everest Facts for Kids Video
If you like to consume information in video format, you can watch this video:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Mount Everest is 8846.86 metres with snow cover and 8844.43 metres without snow cover.
A commercial plane is capable of flying anywhere between 20,000 feet to 40,000 feet. When the height of Mount Everest is converted from metres, it becomes about 29,035 feet. So planes are capable of flying over Mount Everest, however, planes do not typically fly more than 20,000 feet above sea level.
Mount Everest is the highest mountain on land. Height wise, there is Mouna Kea, which is taller than Mount Everest. But Mouna Kea is underwater.
Mount Everest is a part of the Himalayan mountain range and is located in Nepal, nearly on the border that separates Nepal and Tibet.
Yes, Mount Everest is a growing few millimetres every year because of the tectonic plates under India constantly pushing the Asian plates.
As one starts going above the sea level, the temperature slowly starts to decrease and it might snow instead of rain. Considering the fact that the Himalayas are the largest mountain range in the world and have mountains that go way above sea level, they are covered in snow.
The word Himalaya means House of Snow in Sanskrit, an ancient language in India.
No, Mount Everest is not a volcano as it does not have the characteristics of a volcanic mountain.
The Himalayas are over 60 million years old.
Mount Everest is named after Colonel Sir George Everest, who was a British geographer. He also served as Surveyor General of India from 1830 to 1843.
Various animals live in the Himalayas. These include snow leopards, the Himalayan black bear, Himalayan marmot, Himalayan tahr and any others. However, no plants or animals can survive the topmost peak of the Himalayas; the peak of Mount Everest.
The Himalayan mountain range is the youngest mountain range in the world. Because, the tectonic plates are still in motion, the Himalayas are prone to more earthquakes.
People cannot sit down and eat a normal meal while climbing Mount Everest. So they need to carry snacks along the way that will fill their stomachs and give them energy. These include cheese, eggs, nuts and dried meat among other things.
There are various ways to deal with this problem. Many climbers carry disposable toilet bags or bottles or funnels.
Yes, Some climbers do wear diapers while climbing Mount Everest.
Weight loss is something that varies from person to person. On average, a person may end up losing 30 to 50 pounds on an expedition to Mount Everest.
That was it, folks! These were the amazing facts about Mount Everest. Hope you and your little one had a great time learning about these amazing Mount Everest facts.
Does this make you want to go on an adventure to conquer this huge mountain peak? Is your little one too, dreaming about the same thing? Well, if that is the case, encourage them!
![11 Amazing Snowy Owls Facts for Kids [UPDATED Facts]](https://www.growkido.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Interesting-Fun-Snowy-Owls-Facts-for-Kids.png)
![11 Amazing Manatee Facts for Kids [UPDATED Facts]](https://www.growkido.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/interesting-fun-manatees-facts-for-kids-sea-cow.png)
![11 Amazing Polar Bear Facts for Kids [UPDATED Facts]](https://www.growkido.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Interesting-Fun-Polar-Bear-Facts-for-Kids.png)
![11 Amazing Parrot Fish Facts for Kids [UPDATED Facts]](https://www.growkido.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Interesting-Fun-Parrot-Fish-Facts-for-Kids.png)
![11 Amazing Hamster Facts for Kids [UPDATED Facts]](https://www.growkido.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Interesting-Fun-Hamster-Facts-for-Kids.png)
![11 Amazing Arctic Wolf Facts for Kids [UPDATED Facts]](https://www.growkido.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Interesting-Fun-Arctic-Wolf-Facts-for-Kids.png)