Everest, the roof of the world

On the border of Nepal and Tibet, Everest dominates the planet at 8,848.86 meters. A symbol of adventure and human achievement, it has attracted dreamers and explorers for generations. More than a mountain, it is a living legend.

Altitude

8848,86 m

Localisation

27.989° N / 86.925° E

A sacred mountain

For Himalayan peoples, Everest is far more than a summit. They call it Chomolungma, the “Mother Goddess of the World,” or Sagarmatha, the “Forehead of the Sky.” Climbing this mountain means crossing a boundary between the world of humans and the realm of the gods.

1922

First expedition with oxygen

The British team reached 8,320 m, marking the first high-altitude attempt using supplemental oxygen.

1924

The Mallory, Irvine & Norton enigma

During the 1924 attempt, Edward Norton reached 8,572 m without oxygen, inspiring the name Norton Peak. Mallory and Irvine later vanished near the summit, leaving their success forever uncertain.

1953

First successful ascent

Edmund Hillary (New Zealand) and Tenzing Norgay (Nepal) reached the summit on May 29 — a historic milestone.

1975

First woman on the summit

Japanese climber Junko Tabei became the first woman to summit Everest, paving the way for countless female mountaineers.

1978

First ascent without oxygen

Reinhold Messner and Peter Habeler achieved the feat, long believed impossible.

2017

Lightning-fast ascent by Kilian Jornet

In May 2017, Catalan athlete Kilian Jornet climbed Everest via the north route in 26 hours, without oxygen or fixed ropes, starting from Rongbuk Monastery. Despite stomach issues above 7,700 m, he reached the summit and descended to the advanced base camp at 6,500 m. This remarkable achievement completed his Summits of My Life project.

27.9881° N / 86.9250° E

Nepal/Tibet (Chine)

1953

First successful ascent by Hillary and Norgay

−30 °C

Average temperature at the summit

100 km/h

Wind gusts at the summit

8’848,86

Official height measured in 2020

First woman on the summit

First woman on the summit

In 1975, Japanese climber Junko Tabei became the first woman to reach the Everest summit. Her ascent symbolizes determination and empowerment in a male-dominated environment.

A minimalist ascent

In 2017, Spanish athlete Kilian Jornet climbed via the north side without oxygen or fixed ropes. His fast, lightweight, trail-inspired style redefined high-altitude climbing.

The neighbors of Everest

Ama Dablam

Nepal

6812 m

Lhotse

Nepal

8516 m

Makalu

Nepal

8485 m

Shishapangma

Tibet (Chine)

8027 m

A universal source of inspiration

Everest remains a universal source of inspiration. Each ascent tells a story of courage and pushing limits, while reminding us that the mountain always has the final say. For Norton Peak, it embodies the spirit of adventure – a demanding quest where precision and beauty meet above 8,000 meters.

Kathmandu, starting point of the adventure

The journey to Everest begins in Kathmandu, Nepal’s capital. A flight leads to Lukla, then the legendary Khumbu trek crosses Sherpa villages, monasteries and high valleys to the South Base Camp at 5,364 m. The adventure begins long before the mountain.

“While on top of Everest, I looked across the valley towards the great peak Makalu… I was still looking beyond to other interesting challenges.”

Sir Edmund Hillary

Discover more summits

6812 m

Ama Dablam

At 6,812 meters, Ama Dablam is one of Nepal’s most iconic and beautiful mountains. Visible from the Khumbu trek toward Everest, it is known as the “Jewel of the Himalaya” thanks to its elegant, pyramid-shaped profile.

Learn more

8516 m

Lhotse

At 8,516 meters, Lhotse is the fourth-highest mountain in the world. Located just south of Everest, it shares part of its route before diverging into its own path to glory, dominated by a massive and feared south face.

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8485 m

Makalu

At 8,485 meters, Makalu rises like a perfect pyramid, isolated and formidable. Located on the border between Nepal and China (Tibet), it embodies the raw elegance of high mountains and the harshness of Himalayan challenges.

Learn more