29 May 2023 6 min to read
The glorious moment May 29, 2023, marks the 70th year of the first-ever Everest Summit. Today is the 16th International Everest Day 2023. Everest Day is celebrated on May 29 every year to commemorate the first successful ascent of Mount Everest in the year 1953. Sir Edmund Hillary of New Zealand and Tenzing Norgay, a Sherpa of Nepal, achieved this incredible feat. It captures the world’s attention and makes history in mountaineering. This day is dedicated to paying tribute to their remarkable accomplishment and reflecting on the endeavors of all those who have climbed the mighty mountain.
In the local language, Everest is called ‘ Chomolungma‘. Before it is named Mount Everest, it was known as Peak XV. Later in 1865, it was named ‘Mount Everest’ in honor of British surveyor Colonel Sir George Everest. In 1956, Nepali historian Baburam Acharya named it ‘Sagarmatha’. In Nepal, Everest is popularly called Sagarmatha.
International Everest Day also acknowledges the ongoing efforts of climbers and explorers who continue to push the limits of human achievement in mountaineering. A big day to honor the splendid beauty and the challenges allied with the world’s highest Mount Everest.
In Nepal, Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) has planned to celebrate the 16th International Everest Day 2023 as the ‘Platinum Jubilee’ honoring the first summit in the year 1953. The Ministry of Tourism has established a main organizing committee consisting of representatives from different organizations within the tourism sector to ensure the successful celebration of the day.
The celebration program will be held at Bhrikuti Mandap, Kathmandu. The participants of renowned climbers, representatives from the tourism industry, and government officials are likely. Both national and international climbers who have climbed Mt. Everest will be felicitated. Special programs are also being organized in Khumjung, Solukhumbu, and Kathmandu. The separate program will be organized in Kathmandu on June 1, where an evening dinner in honor of climbers will be hosted.
Nearly 7000 national and foreign climbers have successfully reached the summit of the highest peak to date. So far, there have been more than three hundred fatalities. As of 2023, for the first five months, many climbers have successfully ascended Mt. Everest. Many records have been set by the climbers. Kami Rita Sherpa set a new world record for climbing Everest for the 28th time on May 23, 2023. He broke his record for the 27th time which was made on May 17, 2023. Double amputee climber Hari Buda Magar also set a new record for successfully climbing Everest on May 19, 2023.
The Department of Tourism has issued a significant number of climbing permits for this year’s ongoing expeditions in the Everest region. Over 600 climbers, comprising 313 women and 165 men, have received permission to climb Everest, marking the highest number of climbers in history. The climbing season commenced on April 30 during the spring season, attracting climbers from around the world. The government has opened 414 mountains for the expedition so far.
In a nutshell, Everest Day is a time to celebrate the enduring legacy of those who have conquered Everest. Hillary and Tenzing’s achievement was a significant milestone in mountaineering history and evidence of human endurance, determination, and teamwork. It inspires future adventurers to embark on their astonishing journeys.
Mt. Everest Summit Some Facts or Achievements
First Successful Summit (May 29, 1953): Tenzing Norgay Sherpa (Nepal) & Sir Edmund Hillary (New Zealand)
First Person to Ski down on Mt. Everest (May 6, 1970): Yuichiro Miura (Japan)
First Woman to Summit (May 16, 1975): Junko Tabei (Japan)
First ever to scale Mt. Everest without supplemental oxygen (1978): Reinhold Messner (Italy) and Peter Habeler (Austria)
First Ascent of North Face of Mt. Everest (May 10, 1980): Takashi Ozaki & Tsuneo Shigehiro (Japan)
First winter ascent (1980): Andrzej Zawada and team (Poland)
First solo winter ascent (Dec 27, 1980): Yasuo Kato (Japan)
First to scale the East Face (1983): Lou Reichardt, Kim Momb, and Carlos Buhler (USA)
First ascent of Mount Everest without supplementary oxygen in only 40 hours (1986): Erhard Loretan & Jean Troillet (Switzerland)
First Paraglider Descent of Mt. Everest (Sep 26, 1988): Jean-Marc Boivin (France)
First team to ascent from North and South simultaneously and crossover descent (1988): Joint team from Nepal, China, & Japan
First person to climb from sea level to the top of Everest (1990): Tim Macartney-Snape (Australia)
First Person to reach Everest from 3 different routes: Kushang Sherpa (India) [South Col (1993), North Face (1996), & Khangsun Face (1999)]
First woman to summit Everest from both North and South (1996 & 1999): Cathy O’Dowd (South Africa)
Fastest Ski Descent (Oct 7, 2000): Davo Karnicar (Slovenia) [Descent Time: 5 hours]
First Blind Person to reach the summit (May 25, 2001): Erik Weihernmayer (USA)
Fastest Ascent (2004): Pemba Dorje Sherpa (Nepal) in just 8 hours and 10 minutes
Youngest Person to Summit (May 22, 2010): Jordan Romero (USA) [Age- 13 years and 10 months]
First Tweet from the top of Everest (May 6, 2011): Kent Cool (England)
Longest Stay on Mt. Everest (May 20, 2011): Bhakta Kumar Rai (Nepal) [32 hours stay, 27-hour meditation, used supplemental oxygen only for 11 hours]
Oldest woman to climb Everest (May 19, 2012): Tamae Watanabe (Japan) [Age- 73 years and 180 days]
First woman to climb Everest twice in the same season (May 12 & 19, 2012): Chhurim Sherpa (Nepal)
First to ascent Everest from both sides in the same season (2013): Davis Liano Gonzalez (Mexico) [South side ascent-May 11 & North side ascent-May 19]
Oldest Person to Summit (May 23, 2013): Yuichiro Miura (Japan) [Age-80 years and 223 days]
First Double Amputee (May 15, 2006): Mark Inglis (New Zealand)
Most Summits (1994- present): Kami Rita Sherpa (28 times)
Everest Region Most Popular Peaks
Mount Everest (8,848.86 meters) – World’s highest peak
Lhotse (8,516 meters) – 4th highest peak in the world, lies south of Mount Everest
Makalu (8,485 meters) – 5th highest peak in the world, situated southeast of Mount Everest
Cho Oyu (8,188 meters) – 6th highest peak in the world, located west of Mount Everest
Nuptse (7,861 meters) – A prominent peak close to Mount Everest
Pumori (7,161 meters) – A popular climbing peak close to Mount Everest
Ama Dablam (6,812 meters) – Famous for its unique pyramid shape
Mera Peak (6,476 meters) – Highest trekking peak in Nepal
Island Peak (Imja Tse) (6,189 meters) – Famous Trekking peak for its easy ascent
Lobuche East (6,119 meters) – Popular trekking peak that offers stunning views of the Everest region
