Mount Everest: Costs, Deaths, Planes, and the 2pm Rule

Height: 8,848.86 m (29,031.7 ft) · First ascent: May 29, 1953 · Recorded deaths: 300+ · Last year without a fatality: 2020 — Nepal News

A single profile, compiled by Nepal News, holds the figures that usually start arguments:

The pattern: more climbers each year, but a lower fatality rate.

Why do planes not fly over Everest?

The short answer is that aircraft can fly above 8,848 m. The practical answer is why most pilots choose not to. Everest sits in the path of the jet stream, where fast-moving air can turn a routine flight into a shaking, turbulent ride.

According to Nepal News, the mountain is best understood as a place of records, disasters and weather. Put simply, a flight over the summit leaves almost no margin for error: no flat ground for an emergency landing, strong winds, and a thin atmosphere that affects both planes and helicopters.

• Wind: The jet stream can make the air above Everest extremely unstable.
• No emergency options: Engine failure or a pressurisation problem means very little time to react.
• Detours are easier: Airlines choose tracks around the Himalaya rather than a direct crossing.

How many people have died on Mount Everest?

More than 300 people have died on Everest since climbing began in the 1920s, reports Nepal News. That number matters even more when you look at the trend: the overall mortality rate above base camp fell from 1.4% to 0.7%, a statistically meaningful improvement as climbing became more commercialised.

Still, the mountain has kept its streak of danger. Deaths occurred every year from 1978 to 2019 except 2020, when COVID-19 meant no regular climbing permits were issued.

Confirmed vs unconfirmed details

• Confirmed: Over 300 recorded deaths since the 1920s, per Nepal News.
• Confirmed: The first confirmed ascent was in 1953.
• Still unconfirmed: The oldest body on the mountain is often linked to George Mallory, but not formally confirmed.
• Widely repeated but not supported: The story of a “celebrity brother” on Everest does not match any verified public figure.

The implication: commercialisation has made climbing safer per attempt, but the total risk pool is larger than ever.

Which country does Mount Everest belong to?

Mount Everest lies on the border between Nepal and the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. The summit is the highest point on Earth above sea level. The mountain is part of the Himalayan range.

Animal life in the region includes snow leopards, Himalayan tahrs, and numerous bird species like the snow pigeon.

What animals live on Mount Everest?

Wildlife on Everest includes snow leopards, Himalayan tahrs, and birds such as the snow pigeon and Himalayan griffon. These species have adapted to the thin air and harsh climate of the high Himalaya.

The pattern: the mountain’s ecosystem is fragile and largely confined to lower elevations, where vegetation and prey are more abundant.

Why does it cost $40,000 to climb Mount Everest?

Everest is not really one purchase. It is a climbing permit, oxygen, guides, flights, insurance, weeks of time, and enough physical resilience to get through the death zone.

In its Everest overcrowding explainer, Nepal News points to the way money and risk create pressure on the mountain. Expensive seasons mean more climbers, more last-minute decisions and more traffic jams above 8,000 m.

• Permit: A major budget line, and a key source of tourism revenue. The Nepal government fee was $11,000 per person in 2024.
• Logistics: Flights, helicopters, oxygen, Sherpa guides, food and base camp infrastructure.
• Risk: Cheaper packages often mean less buffer for emergencies.

What this means: the $40,000 figure is a baseline — luxury expeditions can exceed $100,000.

Can you still climb Mount Everest?

Climbing Everest is currently possible with a permit from Nepal or China. The 2026 spring season alone saw 492 permits issued, according to Nepal News.

What is the 2pm rule on Everest?

Professional guiding teams use a turnaround time: after 2 p.m., turn around. Climbers who reach the summit later are more likely to descend in the dark, in bad weather, with depleted oxygen and slower judgement.

The rule is not usually a written law. It is a risk-management tool used by experienced guides. But on a crowded mountain, it is exactly the kind of boundary that disappears when exhaustion meets ambition.

Who was the youngest person to climb Everest?

Jordan Romero from the United States reached the summit at age 13 in 2010. He remains the youngest person to have climbed Mount Everest.

The catch: age records on Everest have sparked debate about whether minors should be permitted on the mountain at all.

What is the most common death on Everest?

The most common causes of death on Everest are acute altitude sickness, falls, avalanches, and exhaustion. These hazards are concentrated in the “death zone” above 8,000 m, where the human body begins to deteriorate rapidly.

What is the oldest body still on Everest?

The oldest known body on Everest is believed to be that of George Mallory, who disappeared in 1924. His body was found in 1999 at 8,155 m. Whether he summited before dying remains unconfirmed.

How long do bodies last on Mount Everest?

Bodies can last for decades in the cold, dry conditions of the upper mountain. Some have become landmarks along the standard routes, particularly in the death zone.

Can you see bodies while climbing Everest?

Many climbers report seeing bodies along the standard routes, especially above 8,000 m. Rescue and recovery are often too dangerous, so remains stay where they fall.

The pattern: more climbers mean more bodies, even as the fatality rate drops.

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