Mount Everest was formed about 60,000,000 years ago. It is 29,028 feet above sea level, making it the tallest mountain in the world. It is located in the Himalayas Mountain Range in South Central Asia on the frontier of Nepal and Tibet. Through out history, there have been many attempts to climb this wonderful creation. In 1953, Sir Edmund Hillary Tenzing Norgay successfully reached the summit of the mountain. In 1963, just ten years later, the first American, named James Whittaker, successfully ascended the mountain summit. The first woman to ascent this beautiful mountain, as she described it, was Junko Tabei in 1975. Previous to these attempts there have been many unsuccessful climbs sometimes resulting in death.  

The original measurement of Everest's height, made by Sir George Everest  was 29,002 feet. He was the surveyor who mapped and surveyed much of the Himalayas, from a great distance away in India. The story goes that he actually measured Mt. Everest's height as 29,000 feet (averaging several measurements), to the nearest few feet. But, he feared that people would take that as a rough estimate, maybe even plus or minus 1000 feet. So, he added 2 feet, so people would know, just by looking at the number, that it was not a rough estimate. 

Everest is called Chomo-Lungma, by the local Tibetans. Everest is on the border between Tibet and Nepal. Supposedly, K2 is now called Kaytu (sounding like "K2"), by the locals in Kashmir. K2 is more difficult to climb than is Everest. Many climbers have died on both mountains.

Of the world's tallest mountains, Annapurna (in Nepal) was the first to be climbed, in 1950, by Maurice Herzog. Everest was first climbed, in 1953, by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay (Norkay). K2 was first climbed, in 1954, by Ardito Desio.

Mt. Everest is, of course, the highest point above sea level. But, in some ways, it is not the tallest mountain. Several undersea mountains are apparently taller, from base to peak. Mauna Kea, on the island of Hawaii, is the tallest mountain in the world, from base to peak (about 32,000 feet), its base being some 19,000 feet under water.
Climbing to Mount Everest:	Khumbu Icefall

In the early days of Everest's history, Nepal closed her doors to foreign climbers. But in the early 1950s, the Himalayan country began to slowly open its borders. The famous French mountaineer, Maurice Herzog, was the first to acquire permission to attempt the mighty Annapurna. Although Herzog paid a severe price in the snow blindness and frostbite which he consequently suffered, Annapurna was the first of the Nepalese massifs to be climbed.

Everest was another story. Northern approaches to the peak were officially closed to climbers due to the Chinese invasion of Tibet in 1950. However, a few climbers had attempted to sneak through the country during that period. For example, a Canadian mountaineer, Earl Denman, masqueraded as a Sherpa and crossed Tibet illegally in 1947. Although he was accompanied by two of the world's most famous Sherpas -- Tenzing Norgay and Ang Dawa -- his attempt failed. 

Today, the situation is somewhat different. Expeditions to Everest have actually become commercialized. In an effort to conquer the mountain, some aspirants can actually purchase a guided trip. And they pay about $60,000 US for the privilege. On these commercial expeditions you pay for others to handle the logistical nightmare.

Other adventurers who choose to organize their own expeditions, find themselves faced with a mountain of paperwork. It usually takes them anywhere from three to seven years just to line up the trip...and that's only the first part!

When they reach the Himalayan giant, most mountaineers do not immediately scramble up to the summit. Like the paperwork and the permissions, climbing the mountain is an arduous task often taking three to four months.

The Stupa of Bodnath is 6 Km East of Kathmandu and the largest one in Nepal. 
The ancient city of Bhaktapur is about 12 Km East of Kathmandu and well worth the trip out of town. 
The medieval streets are well preserved and cover quite a large area so allow plenty of time for walking round. 
The Golden Temple is a Budhist monastry situated just a few minutes walk from the heart of Patan. 
Patan is the second largest town in the Kathmandu valley. 
The Kala (Black) Bhairab statue is close to the square and represents the Hindu God Shiva in his most fearsome aspect. 
The Budhist temple and Stupa of Swayambunath lies on the top of a hill just West of town.