Mount Everest represents the ultimate challenge in mountaineering. As of December 2024, more than 7,200 people have climbed Everest and 335 have died in the attempt.

In this Slice, we'll learn about the birth of Everest in an ancient seabed, why it's still rising, and exactly why high altitude is a problem. We'll meet the mountaineering pioneers who raced to be the first to the summit, from heroes like Mallory and Irvine of the 1922 expedition, through to Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tensing of the historic 1953 summit. We'll look at some notable climbs and world records, as well as some disasters.

We'll meet the Sherpas, the local mountain people who continue to risk their lives many times on each expedition, and we'll consider what makes them do it.

And, of course, we'll discuss the environmental and economic impact all these expeditions have on the mountain and on Nepal.

We'll even find out how to climb Mt Everest from Base Camp to summit, step by gruelling step!

Suitable for teens, young adults and adults... and children with a good reading level!