zoom_in Click to enlarge

Southeast Ridge Everest

▲ ▼

description Southeast Ridge Everest Overview

The Southeast Ridge is the route from Nepal used for the first successful ascent of Mount Everest. It approaches the summit through the Khumbu region and South Col before following the exposed upper ridge, where climbers face steep terrain, unstable snow and ice, high winds, and extreme altitude. Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay completed the first ascent by this route in 1953, and it remains the standard expedition route to the summit.

help Southeast Ridge Everest FAQ

Which Everest route did Hillary and Tenzing use for the first ascent?

The Southeast Ridge — the route from Nepal that Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay climbed on the first successful ascent on 29 May 1953. It remains the most-used route on the mountain today.

What are the key sections of the Southeast Ridge route on Everest?

After approaching through the Khumbu region, climbers cross the treacherous Khumbu Icefall, climb the Lhotse Face to the South Col at roughly 8,000 m, then push along the exposed upper ridge past features like the Hillary Step to the summit. Camp IV at the South Col is the launch point for summit day.

How does the Southeast Ridge differ from the North Ridge route?

The Southeast Ridge climbs from Nepal, while the North Ridge approaches from the Tibetan side. The north route avoids the Khumbu Icefall but involves more exposed climbing high on the mountain, and it's far less trafficked than the Nepal side.

Why is the Southeast Ridge so dangerous?

Climbers spend extended time in the 'death zone' above 8,000 m, facing unstable snow and ice, steep terrain, high winds, and bottleneck queues at features like the Hillary Step during short weather windows. Most Everest fatalities occur on the two main routes in exactly these conditions.

swap_horiz

Looking for Southeast Ridge Everest alternatives? Compare top competitors ranked & scored

arrow_forward