The Eerie remains of Mount Everest's Dead climbers.

Mount Everest, the world's highest peak, has been an obsession with climbers for decades. Since Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay first scaled the peak in 1953, thousands have followed in their footsteps. However, the ascent to the summit is not without its dangers, and the mountain has claimed the lives of many climbers over the years.

Since the first recorded expedition in 1924, a total of 295 individuals have lost their lives on both sides of Mount Everest. Shockingly, about two-thirds of those who perished remain remarkably well-preserved and frozen in time atop the treacherous peak, with many still decked out in the colorful climbing attire of their respective eras. These eerie remains serve as a somber reminder of the immense danger that those attempting to summit Everest must face, as the bodies must be passed by subsequent climbers.

One such infamous example is that of Swang Paljor, an Indian climber who succumbed to the mountain's might in 1996. For years, his body became a recognizable landmark on the main Northeast Ridge Route, earning him the nickname "Green Boots" due to his visible footwear. The name stuck, and many climbers would use Green Boots as a reference point on their ascent to the summit. However, in 2014, Green Boots was relocated by partners of a Chinese Expedition to a less prominent and more dignified spot. While his body can still be seen, it is no longer situated on the main route to the Summit.

Mount Everest stands at an altitude of 8,848 meters (29,029 feet) and is located in the Mahalangur Himalayas on the border between Nepal and Tibet. The mountain has two main climbing routes: the South Col Route, located on the Nepalese side, and the Northeast Ridge Route, located on the Tibetan side. Both routes pose their own set of challenges, including altitude sickness, extreme weather, and dangerous terrain.

Altitude sickness, also known as acute mountain sickness (AMS), is caused by the lack of oxygen at high altitudes. Symptoms can range from mild to severe and can include headache, nausea, and dizziness. Climbers must acclimatize themselves to the altitude by spending several days at base camp and progressively ascending to higher altitudes before making the final push to the summit.

Extreme weather is another hazard that climbers face on Mount Everest. The weather can change suddenly, and storms can whip up without warning. High winds, snow, and sub-zero temperatures can make climbing conditions extremely difficult and dangerous.

Dangerous terrain is also a major factor on Mount Everest. The mountain is littered with crevasses, rock falls, and steep ice slopes that require technical climbing skills to navigate successfully. In addition, the Khumbu Icefall, a treacherous section of the climb, poses a significant threat to climbers.

Despite the dangers, thousands of people attempt to climb Mount Everest every year, with the majority attempting to reach the summit during the climbing season between April and May. However, in recent years, overcrowding on the mountain has become a significant problem, with long lines forming at key choke-points on the routes.

In 2019, overcrowding on the mountain was blamed for several deaths, including an American climber who died after waiting two and a half hours in a queue to reach the summit. The Nepalese government has attempted to address the problem by introducing stricter regulations on the number of climbers allowed on the mountain. However, many argue that more needs to be done to ensure the safety of climbers on the peak.

In conclusion, Mount Everest is a majestic and awe-inspiring peak, but it is also a formidable challenge that should not be taken lightly. The mountain has claimed the lives of many climbers over the years, and the bodies of some of those who perished still remain frozen in time on the peak. Climbing Everest requires a significant amount of training, experience, and preparation, and climbers should be aware of the many hazards they will face on their ascent.