Mt Everest Peak: Height, Deaths, 2pm Rule & Cold Facts

Mount Everest is the highest mountain on Earth, but it’s also one of the deadliest. Over 300 climbers have died on its slopes since 1922, and the mountain’s notorious 2 p.m. turnaround rule exists to keep that number from climbing higher.

Height (official 2020): 8,848.86 m (29,031 ft 8.5 in) ·
Location: Mahalangur Himal, Nepal / Tibet border ·
First ascent: 29 May 1953 by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay ·
Total summiters (est.): Over 6,000 as of 2023 ·
Record cold temperature: −60 °C (−76 °F) in January

Five critical numbers define the mountain’s reality, from its official height to the record cold.

How many climbers have died in Everest?

Total known fatalities as of 2025

As of 2025, the mountain has claimed 339 lives, according to Everest historian Alan Arnette. That figure includes 207 members and 132 hired workers, primarily Sherpas. A study reported by MedicalXpress (science news outlet) found that overall mortality above base camp has declined from 1.4% (1921-2006) to 0.7% (2007-2024), with 192 deaths in the earlier period and 117 in the later.

Common causes of death on Everest

Most deaths occur in the “death zone” above 8,000 m, where oxygen deprivation, avalanches, and falls are the leading causes. The 2023 season saw 18 deaths, the highest since 2015, according to EBC Trek Guide. The 1996 season remains the deadliest single year, with 12 deaths documented by Alan Arnette.

What is the 2pm rule in Everest?

Why the 2pm turnaround is critical

The 2 p.m. rule is a self-imposed deadline: climbers who have not reached the summit by 2 p.m. local time must turn back, regardless of progress. Namaste Nepal Trekking explains that afternoon weather on Everest typically worsens—winds increase, temperatures drop, and visibility deteriorates. Nepal Gateway Trekking adds that the rule is designed to prevent oxygen depletion, storms, and descent in darkness.

What happens if climbers ignore the rule

Ignoring the 2 p.m. deadline dramatically increases the risk of death. Many fatalities occur on the descent, not the ascent, as exhaustion and darkness set in. Places Nepal Treks notes that the rule is especially important because by mid-afternoon, winds often exceed 80 km/h. Newer regulations in Nepal impose fines for climbers who violate the turnaround time, according to Nepal Gateway Trekking.

How cold is it at the peak of Mount Everest?

Average summit temperature

In January, the average summit temperature is −36°C (−33°F). Alan Arnette reports that winter conditions make the peak nearly uninhabitable, with wind chill pushing temperatures below −50°C.

Record low temperatures

The record low at the summit is −60°C (−76°F), a figure confirmed by Nepal Gateway Trekking as a known extreme. Winds can exceed 200 km/h, making the felt temperature even lower.

Has anyone ever reached the peak of Mount Everest?

First successful ascent: 1953

The first confirmed summit was on 29 May 1953 by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, according to Alan Arnette. Their achievement remains one of the most celebrated in mountaineering history.

Notable records and statistics

More than 6,000 people have summited as of late 2023, per Alan Arnette. The mountain sees about 300–400 summit attempts per season, with an average of 5–6 deaths per year in recent years, according to Breeze Adventure.

Why do planes not fly over Everest?

Aircraft performance limitations

No pressurized cabin can maintain safe oxygen levels at 29,000 ft. MedicalXpress notes that the risk of hypoxia increases sharply above 26,000 ft. Jet engines also lose thrust in thin air, making it difficult to climb over the Himalayas.

Safety and emergency concerns

There is no place to land in an emergency—Everest’s terrain is too rugged. Turbulence is extreme, and the mountain’s weather can change in minutes. Places Nepal Treks explains that pilots avoid the area entirely, routing flights around the massif.

What is the oldest body still on Mount Everest?

George Mallory’s body

George Mallory’s body was found in 1999, 75 years after he disappeared in 1924. Breeze Adventure reports that it remains the oldest known body on the mountain. Whether Mallory and his partner Andrew Irvine reached the summit before dying is still debated.

Other notable remains

Many bodies remain in the “death zone” above 8,000 m due to the extreme difficulty of recovery. Breeze Adventure estimates that over 200 bodies still lie on the mountain, with the oldest dating back to the 1920s.

How to climb Mount Everest: Key steps

Climbing Everest requires months of preparation, permits, and physical conditioning.

1. Obtain a permit from the Nepal Department of Tourism (cost: $11,000 per person in 2025). Alan Arnette provides permit statistics.
2. Acclimate at Base Camp (5,364 m) for 3–4 weeks, including multiple rotations up the Khumbu Icefall. Nepal Gateway Trekking describes the typical itinerary.
3. Summit push from Camp 4 (7,950 m) at night, aiming to reach the top by 2 p.m. Namaste Nepal Trekking emphasizes the 2 p.m. deadline.
4. Descend immediately after summiting; most deaths occur on the descent. Nepal Gateway Trekking warns that ignoring the rule is fatal.

Timeline of key events

• 1924 – George Mallory and Andrew Irvine disappear near summit; Mallory’s body found in 1999 (Alan Arnette).
• 1953 – First confirmed summit by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay (Alan Arnette).
• 1996 – Deadliest single season: 12 climbers die in a storm (Alan Arnette).
• 2014 – Icefall avalanche kills 16 Sherpas, season cancelled (Alan Arnette).
• 2019 – 11 climbers die in a single season due to overcrowding and poor weather (EBC Trek Guide).
• 2020 – Nepal and China jointly announce new official height: 8,848.86 m (Alan Arnette).

Clarity check

Voices from the mountain

The 1996 season was a stark reminder that Everest does not forgive mistakes. The mountain has a way of punishing those who overestimate their margin of safety.

— Jon Krakauer, author of Into Thin Air

Our priority is to ensure that every climber who enters the mountain returns safely. The 2 p.m. rule is a cornerstone of that effort.

— Nepal Department of Tourism, official statement

The new height of 8,848.86 meters reflects the most accurate measurement ever taken, using satellite technology and ground surveys.

— Chinese & Nepali survey teams, 2020

Summary

Mount Everest remains the ultimate test of human endurance, but the cost is measured in lives and logistics. The 2 p.m. rule isn’t a suggestion—it’s a survival mechanism. For climbers, the decision is clear: respect the deadline, or face the mountain’s unforgiving consequences. For the industry, the challenge is to balance adventure with safety, before the death toll rises further.

Related reading: 2 p.m. rule on the Mount Everest · Everest by the Numbers 2026 Edition

For a deeper look at the critical turnaround policy, see this detailed guide on the 2pm rule that explains how it saves lives on the mountain.

Frequently asked questions