Mount Everest, Earth's highest mountain above sea level, stands at 8,848.86 meters (29,031 ft) on the China–Nepal border, known locally as Sagarmāthā in Nepal and Qomolangma in Tibet. Despite its allure to experienced climbers, Everest presents immense dangers such as altitude sickness, extreme weather, and avalanches, resulting in 340 fatalities by May 2024. Early British attempts in the 1920s pushed boundaries, most notably the 1924 expedition where George Mallory and Andrew Irvine vanished during their summit bid, sparking a lasting debate about whether they were the first to reach the top.

The first documented ascent was achieved nearly three decades later by Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary in 1953 via the Southeast Ridge, a historic achievement that captured global attention. Subsequently, the Chinese team of Wang Fuzhou, Gonpo, and Qu Yinhua made the first reported ascent from the North Ridge on May 25, 1960, demonstrating the mountain's enduring challenge from both sides.