Death Everest

In Mount Everest’s “death zone” (above ~8,000 meters), the atmospheric pressure drops to about one-third that at sea level, drastically reducing available oxygen and causing hypoxia that impairs judgment and motor control, while extreme cold (often below -30 °C) leads to rapid frostbite and hypothermia.

The thin air also hampers heat retention and dehydrates climbers through increased respiratory water loss.

High winds exceeding 100 km/h can strip away insulating layers of air, compounding exposure, and sudden storms can obscure routes or cause deadly whiteouts.

Additionally, low atmospheric pressure alters gas exchange in the lungs, intensifying pulmonary and cerebral edema risks that can quickly become fatal without rapid descent.