Everest, Nepal
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Soaring to 29,032 feet (8,849m), Mount Everest is a global symbol of expedition and adventure. Scaling the world’s highest mountain is seen as the ultimate test of endurance by climbers. While it’s not statistically the world’s most dangerous peak, it is fraught with extreme hazards (avalanches, deadly crevices, ice flows and debilitating altitude sickness). Since 1922, more than 300 people have perished in an attempt to scale the summit.
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The Khumbu Icefall, a passage of constantly falling ice and crevasses, is one of the most perilous parts facing those on the popular South Col route. The next challenge is the so-called 'death zone', the highest part of the mountain with low levels of oxygen, and where most fatalities occur due to high altitude sickness. In the 2023 climbing season, up to 17 people died, making it one of the worst years on record. There were reports of extreme weather, inexperienced climbers and dangerous overcrowding in the 'death zone'.