A mountain is a large aggrandisement of the Earth’s surface, which rises abruptly from the surrounding level. These structures usually have steep, sloping sides and sharp or rounded ridges.
The top of a mountain is called its Peak or Summit. The word Summit hails from the Latin word ‘Summus’, which means ‘Highest’.
Numerous sources have identified the highest Summit in the world as belonging to Mount Everest, in the Himalayas (Nepal), regarded as the Earth’s tallest mountain, with a height of 8,849m above sea level. In 2015, the Swindon Explorer, described the Summit of Everest, as “the size of a dining room table”. This majestic treasure of the Himalayas is usually covered with snow, layered over ice and rock, and a composition of limestones.
Despite Everest’s immense beauty, the return journey from its Pinnacle is perilous, for more than 300 people have died while climbing its sharp rocks, especially in the region of the mountain called the ‘Death Zone’. Here, death occurs amongst the climbers because of the extremely low freezing temperatures and the length of time they have to climb through this area exposed to the Low presence of oxygen, which leads to the quick development of often fatal respiratory problems. The Ferocious winds present are also hazardous.
Irrespective of its dangers, many have been eager to reach its highest point, and according to official records, this feat was accomplished first in 1953, during the 9th British expedition led by John Hunt, where 2 of his teammates, Tenzin Norgay and Sir Edmund Hilary reached the top, successfully. Since then, only 5,000 people have Summited the Mountain.
Have you ever wondered why people risk their lives and Limbs, to reach the mountainous Peak of Everest?
Although the filmmaker and director Jennifer Peedom, in her interview with Business Insider, attributed the allure of climbing Everest to the aura of danger it has, I believe that there is an additional reason why mountaineers risk their lives to reach the peak of this rocky beast, which is the human desire to operate from a VANTAGE POINT.
The Vantage Point is a high position from which a person views and understand things more clearly, resulting in a feeling of invisibility, courage and euphoria, strong propellers for an individual to overcome obstacles.
Many might consider ascending what is regarded as the world’s highest peak to be the gateway to more enriching opportunities, due to the mental insights with emotional strength gained during the climb and subsequent descent.
During an interview with Business Insider, Lhakpa Sherpa, who has reached the Summit of Everest nine times, is reported to have described this achievement as “Stumbling into heaven”. She also felt “on top of the world”, and it was a Euphoric experience unavailable elsewhere.
Therefore, despite the immense danger we might face from mountainous conditions or circumstances in our. lives, we should bear in mind that they all have a VANTAGE POINT, discoverable only at their Summit and the knowledge gained at this height can serve as a powerful boost to achieve much more
