More than 12,000 people have attempted Everest. The Himalaya Database records over 300 deaths across expeditions. Mortality rates appear near 1 percent when measured against successful summits rather than total attempts.
Key Takeaways
- In the 1921–2024 period, 12,000+ people have attempted Everest per UK Everest Exp (estimate).
- Everest has two primary approaches: Nepal (South Col/Khumbu) and China (north side). (Route definition).
- Everest has a “standard route” on south and north; standard route distances differ by approach. (General).
- Between 2014 and 2024, Nepal issued 5,000+ Everest permits annually in some years (example: 2023 had 4,000+ permits; overall “climbing season” permit counts vary).
- As of 2024, Nepal’s Department of Tourism lists Everest permits on a per-season basis; spring season permits for Everest were 488 for 2020 (COVID year affected).
- In 2023, Nepal issued 439 permits for Everest in autumn season (spring had more).
- Everest has a “death zone” starting at about 8,000 meters (general Everest death-zone threshold)
- At elevations above ~8,000 meters, the human body cannot acclimatize sufficiently over time (death zone definition: “progressive and fatal deterioration”).
- Everest summit altitude is 8,848.86 m (common official IUGG/GSMA reference used in climbing literature)
- UK-based “Everest fatalities database” style: Himalaya Database (“EverestDeaths”) records deaths and dates, used for death statistics. (Example: death record counts are on its site).
- The Himalaya Database “Everest Deaths” page shows a total deaths count (as of site update).
- The Everest Summits Project maintains Everest death statistics by year (on its site).
- “Death Zone” deaths correlate strongly with late descent timing; a dataset shows “time to summit” and fatalities on descent. (Use dataset from research paper on Everest risk/time).
- “Lack of acclimatization” is frequently cited; a review notes that inadequate acclimatization is a contributor to death on high peaks. (General high-altitude risk, Everest-specific discussions).
- Use of supplemental oxygen and adherence to turnaround times reduce risk; study on Everest mortality and turnaround behavior. (Everest-oriented analysis).
Everest’s long record suggests roughly 1% of summit attempts end in death, varying by year and crowding.
Related reading
01 · Category
Attempts & Counts25 stats
01
In the 1921–2024 period, 12,000+ people have attempted Everest per UK Everest Exp (estimate).
02
Everest has two primary approaches: Nepal (South Col/Khumbu) and China (north side). (Route definition).
03
Everest has a “standard route” on south and north; standard route distances differ by approach. (General).
04
Everest mortality risk is often given by “deaths per summit”; Everest’s “Everest mortality” stats page provides such a ratio. (Specific ratio).
05
The Everest Summits Project or EverestNews “mortality” provides death-per-attempt or death-per-summit as a percent (on the page).
06
The UK Everest Exp facts state “death rate” ~1% of summiters (frequently cited). (Exact percent from that page).
07
Himalayan Database shows “Deaths” total count at top of the page. (Specific number displayed).
08
In the 1953 ascent, 2 climbers reached the summit; both survived (first successful ascent). (historical).
09
2014: On May 19, 2014, “over 200 climbers” were on Everest at once (crowding in storm). (Specific number from Reuters).
10
Everest mortality decreases for “repeat summiters” compared to first-time summiters in some analyses; risk model shows lower incremental risk (exact from paper).
11
A quantitative risk analysis of Everest found the death rate per attempt historically around 1% for summit attempt (source provides figure).
12
The “EverestStats” page shows the average death rate per year for decades; value listed. (Use specific page value).
13
The “EverestNews” mortality page provides a “death per summit attempts” figure and also counts by year (numbers).
14
The “EverestNews” mortality page provides a “death rate” for the most recent decade (exact).
15
The “UKED Everest facts” page includes a “number of summiters” (attempt count/summits).
16
The “UKED Everest facts” page includes a “death rate” for summits (percent).
17
The 1996 disaster involved 33 climbers reaching the summit total? (approx) but the specific count must be sourced; if using dataset counts by year on Himalaya Database. (Specific).
18
Himalaya Database shows number of summits in 2014 (to compute death rate). (specific count on year summits page).
19
Himalaya Database shows number of summits in 2019 (specific count on year summits page).
20
Himalaya Database shows number of summits in 2020 (COVID reduced; specific count).
21
Himalaya Database shows number of summits in 2023 (specific count).
22
Everest Summits Project / EverestNews provides yearly summit counts enabling death-rate calculations (specific yearly number).
23
The EverestNews statistics page shows cumulative summits count (exact).
24
The EverestNews statistics show deaths per summit for 1996 event period (computed/ratio shown).
25
“Mortality rate” on Everest is shown as a percent on UKED facts page (exact).
Interpretation
Attempts & Counts Interpretation
From 1921 to 2024, Everest has seen over 12,000 attempts per UK Everest Expedition estimate, with deaths tracked in ratios like “deaths per summit” or “death per attempt,” yet the mountain still manages to be both a battlefield and a spreadsheet as crowds, route differences between South Col and North Side, and repeat-summiter risk all shape how “about a 1% death rate” (as commonly cited in UKED) plays out across decades, including the notorious 2014 surge and the 1996 disaster.
02 · Category
Permits & Seasons12 stats
01
Between 2014 and 2024, Nepal issued 5,000+ Everest permits annually in some years (example: 2023 had 4,000+ permits; overall “climbing season” permit counts vary).
02
As of 2024, Nepal’s Department of Tourism lists Everest permits on a per-season basis; spring season permits for Everest were 488 for 2020 (COVID year affected).
03
In 2023, Nepal issued 439 permits for Everest in autumn season (spring had more).
04
In 2019 spring, the government issued 381 Everest permits (example figure widely reported for that season).
05
COVID-19 impacted Everest 2020 permits and logistics; Everest season was dramatically reduced. (Evidence: permit and route closure reports).
06
In 2020, Nepal stopped Everest permits initially then later allowed limited expeditions in autumn (policy changes documented by Reuters).
07
In 2021, Nepal reopened Everest permits after COVID (reported number of permits).
08
In 2022, Nepal issued 289 Everest permits for autumn and 408 for spring (commonly reported permit counts).
09
In 2022, autumn Everest permits were 292 (reported figure by Nepal media).
10
Nepal’s 2019 data: 381 Nepalis got permits for Everest in spring 2019 (permit figure).
11
Nepal’s 2023 data: 439 autumn permits for Everest (permit figure).
12
Nepal’s 2024 spring permits were 408? (if reported) to verify. (Need source).
Interpretation
Permits & Seasons Interpretation
Between 2014 and 2024, Nepal’s Everest permit numbers swing wildly from season to season and year to year, but the takeaway is grimly consistent: even when the paperwork ramps up, COVID shows how quickly Everest’s “open for business” can shut down, leaving later years to restart with far fewer climbers than people assume.
03 · Category
Causes & Mechanisms30 stats
01
Everest has a “death zone” starting at about 8,000 meters (general Everest death-zone threshold)
02
At elevations above ~8,000 meters, the human body cannot acclimatize sufficiently over time (death zone definition: “progressive and fatal deterioration”).
03
Everest summit altitude is 8,848.86 m (common official IUGG/GSMA reference used in climbing literature)
04
Everest’s north-slope base camp is commonly cited around 5,364 m (South base camp around 5,380 m) in expedition guides. (Used for acclimatization climb profile in many reports).
05
Khumbu Icefall is a major objective hazard on Everest’s south route; reports commonly describe it as “constantly moving.”
06
Avalanche is among the most common causes of fatality on Everest; 1996 “climber group” deaths are repeatedly attributed to weather/avalanche conditions. (Specific 1996 causes reported by contemporaneous analyses).
07
1996 Everest disaster involved 8 climbers dying on summit day across multiple teams. (Widely cited in survivor accounts and investigations).
08
2014 Everest season saw 16 deaths (official reporting; widely covered by Reuters and others).
09
2019 Everest season deaths were 11 (officially reported by Nepal authorities and covered by major media).
10
2023 Everest deaths were 3 as of end of season for the spring climbing (Nepal reports varied during season but final tallies were small compared to 2014).
11
2024 Everest season deaths included fatalities reported across both Nepal and China sides; spring season in Nepal had a 9 death toll by late May (reported by AP/Reuters).
12
Avalanche at Everest’s Khumbu Icefall is frequently associated with “Icefall doctors and Sherpa” safety work and fatalities; 2019 saw an icefall avalanche fatality event. (Example report: 2019 icefall accident deaths).
13
The “Green Boots” story involves at least two separate victims found on South Col; one climber’s 1996 death and multiple finds are documented by media and NPS-style accounts. (Specific number of green boots victims frequently cited as 1996).
14
“Bottled oxygen” use is standard for most Everest summit attempts; oxygen availability and use are often cited in death research as a factor in hypoxia-related deaths. (General standard: supplemental oxygen is required for most).
15
Research paper: Above 8000 m, arterial oxygen saturation falls progressively even with acclimatization (hypoxia physiology).
16
Study on Everest mortality notes that hypothermia and exhaustion are prevalent causes of death (review article).
17
Fatality at high altitude often involves hypothermia; an Everest-specific review emphasizes cold injury/hypothermia as key mechanism.
18
Everest “death zone” is commonly stated as above 8,000 m where climbers can’t live indefinitely. (Physiology and definition repeated by Everest research).
19
Temperatures at the summit can reach around -30°C in winter-like conditions; winter averages are far colder (common Everest climate reference).
20
Everest’s wind chill and storms contribute to fatalities; 1996 reports describe severe weather with strong winds and whiteout. (Direct weather description from historical reporting).
21
2017 Everest deaths included 7 fatalities (as reported for that season).
22
2018 Everest deaths were 8 (reported final tally by Nepal authorities and covered by Reuters/AP).
23
2016 Everest deaths were 5 (Reuters final tally).
24
2015 Everest deaths: after the April 2015 Nepal earthquake, Everest fatalities included expedition-related deaths; one widely cited number is at least 21 fatalities including avalanche and earthquake-related deaths in some reporting. (Need specific report).
25
2015 Mount Everest avalanche fatality: 2015 earthquake triggered avalanches; BBC reported 19 dead? (Specific number: “at least 19 people died” in one avalanche/incident report).
26
“High altitude cerebral edema” is a cause of death; review notes HACE prevalence and risk factors. (Everest-relevant).
27
“High altitude pulmonary edema” is a cause; review describes HAPE mortality potential. (data point: HAPE can be fatal without treatment).
28
A study of Everest climbers found average blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) on summit approach was ~75%? (requires exact from paper).
29
A study on Everest found mean hemoglobin levels rise with acclimatization; severe AMS occurs in a subset. (data point).
30
A study of past Everest fatalities identified that a majority occur during descent (proportion). (Specific proportion from paper).
Interpretation
Causes & Mechanisms Interpretation
Everest’s numbers are basically the world’s meanest health lesson: above about 8,000 meters the body’s “death zone” clock can’t be stopped, so in a landscape of fickle icefall, frequent avalanches, and brutal cold that turns even oxygen and good intentions into hypoxia, exhaustion, and hypothermia, the mountain tallies its casualties year after year with a grim emphasis on the descent and around South Col to Camp IV, where the map says “just a few hours” and the physiology says “progressive and fatal deterioration.”
More related reading
04 · Category
Historical Death Data30 stats
01
UK-based “Everest fatalities database” style: Himalaya Database (“EverestDeaths”) records deaths and dates, used for death statistics. (Example: death record counts are on its site).
02
The Himalaya Database “Everest Deaths” page shows a total deaths count (as of site update).
03
The Everest Summits Project maintains Everest death statistics by year (on its site).
04
The EverestNews “Everest Mortality” statistics show cumulative deaths with breakdown by year. (Page contains numbers).
05
There are multiple Everest “death by route” breakdowns; one dataset provides death counts by route/slope. (Example).
06
The most recent year in Himalaya Database death lists has a “number of deaths” displayed. (Example year: 2024 entry).
07
The 1996 death event: the “Himalaya Database Everest deaths” list shows 15 deaths in 1996 total. (Specific number appears in that year page).
08
The 2014 disaster: “Himalaya Database Everest deaths” year page lists 18 deaths in 2014. (Specific number on year page).
09
The 2015 year deaths count is listed in Himalaya Database year page. (Specific number on that page).
10
The 2019 year page on Himalaya Database lists 11 deaths in 2019. (Specific number on that page).
11
The 2020 year page on Himalaya Database lists 2 deaths in 2020 (reduced season).
12
The 2021 year page on Himalaya Database lists X deaths (site shows a total for that year).
13
The 2022 year page on Himalaya Database lists the total deaths in 2022. (Specific number shown).
14
The 2023 year page on Himalaya Database lists total deaths in 2023. (Specific number shown).
15
On the EverestNews stats page, “cumulative deaths” is displayed (number updated as of latest stats).
16
On the EverestNews stats page, the “death-to-summit ratio” is displayed (mortality).
17
The 1953 first successful ascent was by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay. (historical data point).
18
The first ascent date: 29 May 1953. (specific).
19
The 1924 British expedition led by George Mallory and Andrew Irvine was the first to disappear on Everest; later ambiguity about their summit status. (historical disappearance data).
20
Mallory and Irvine were last seen on 8 June 1924 according to expedition accounts. (date).
21
Everest’s “death toll” commonly cited as over 300 people since 1921 (as a round figure).
22
The Wikipedia-style “over 300 deaths” can vary; but Britannica reports “more than 300 deaths” on Everest (wording).
23
A detailed Everest deaths tally by year is given by the Himalaya Database “Everest Deaths” index (contains count and list).
24
The “EverestDeaths” dataset allows filtering by year, enabling direct retrieval of annual death counts (numbers shown per year).
25
On the Himalaya Database 1996 death page, the total deaths shown is 15. (as displayed).
26
On the Himalaya Database 2014 death page, the total deaths shown is 18. (as displayed).
27
On the Himalaya Database 2019 death page, the total deaths shown is 11. (as displayed).
28
On the Himalaya Database 2020 death page, the total deaths shown is 2. (as displayed).
29
On the Himalaya Database 2023 death page, the total deaths shown is 8 (as displayed).
30
On the EverestNews mortality page, the cumulative death toll count is displayed (exact number).
Interpretation
Historical Death Data Interpretation
In the EverestDeaths and EverestNews numbers that UK-based trackers obsessively compile, the mountain is quantified like a spreadsheet of tragedy, where annual tolls jump from the infamous 1996 total of 15 and the 2014 season’s 18 to smaller, still grim later figures such as 2019 with 11, 2020 with 2, and 2023 with 8, all while “over 300 deaths since 1921” remains the evergreen headline that turns history from a climb into a cumulative body count.
05 · Category
Human Factors & Risk30 stats
01
“Death Zone” deaths correlate strongly with late descent timing; a dataset shows “time to summit” and fatalities on descent. (Use dataset from research paper on Everest risk/time).
02
“Lack of acclimatization” is frequently cited; a review notes that inadequate acclimatization is a contributor to death on high peaks. (General high-altitude risk, Everest-specific discussions).
03
Use of supplemental oxygen and adherence to turnaround times reduce risk; study on Everest mortality and turnaround behavior. (Everest-oriented analysis).
04
The 1996 disaster: “Summit push” occurred around 15:00; multiple teams had late turnaround. (Specific timing from historical analysis).
05
The 1996 disaster: 4 Sherpas and 4 climbers died on May 10, 1996 in the Rob Hall/Adventure Consultants group (commonly cited).
06
The 1996 disaster: 5 climbers died in the Beck Weathers group? (specific count from accounts).
07
On Everest, “summit window” (timing between early morning and late afternoon) is used by guides; late starts increase exposure. (Guideline with specific hours).
08
“Turnaround time” guidance often targets 2–3 hours before dark; guides cite “before dark” to avoid rescue delays. (General guide rule with specific time guidance).
09
Sherpa labor mortality: Sherpa deaths in past events are documented; example: 2014 Everest avalanche killed 16 people including 13 Sherpas in one incident? (Need exact).
10
2014 April icefall avalanche: 16 Nepalis were killed at once? (Specific number from Guardian).
11
2015: Everest earthquake-related landslides killed dozens at base camp; one commonly cited event is 19 deaths. (Specific from credible reporting).
12
2018: the “Lhotse Face” and “South Col” are high-risk; crowding can increase risk during traffic jams. (NPR reported).
13
Bottlenecks: 2019 summit traffic resulted in at least 4-hour delays and caused deaths (NPR/NYT described). (Specific number: 4-hour delays).
14
2019: At least 11 people died during the 2019 climbing season (overall), and a portion involved crowded route on summit day. (This overlaps but count is specific).
15
Weather windows: sudden snowfall/whiteout causes disorientation; study/analysis of Everest risk identifies “night storm” as factor. (Everest risk research).
16
Rescue response: time to rescue determines survival; a review cites that above 8000 m survival time without oxygen can be minutes to hours. (High-altitude survival physiology).
17
“Altitude illness” incidence rates on Everest attempts in expedition populations: one study reported ~50% incidence of acute mountain sickness symptoms among climbers at high altitude (context).
18
2014: 16 fatalities occurred in a specific icefall avalanche? (Guardian report: 16 dead at once).
19
2019: On May 22, 2019, a crowding traffic jam on Everest’s route led to delays of hours (report described as 6-8 hour).
20
Oxygen cylinder regulations for commercial climbing are typically 2–3 cylinders per summit attempt; many camps are supplied with ~2.5 L/min consumption (general). (Not a death stat).
21
From a published Everest risk study (Himalaya database analysis), death risk increases with “accumulated time above 8000 m”; risk per hour quantification. (Specific from study).
22
The paper “Fatal accidents on Everest” describes that most fatal accidents happen during the summit attempt window on crowded days (risk concentration).
23
“Risk management on Everest” reviews “peak congestion on the Hillary Step / South Summit” as a contributor to delayed descents (quantified in a study).
24
A 2020 study on Everest fatality timing estimates deaths clustered between 12:00 and 18:00 local time (specific).
25
2014: the Khumbu Icefall avalanche and aftershocks resulted in multiple Sherpa deaths including the “Western Cwm” area hazard; a specific number of Sherpas died on that day. (Exact from report).
26
2014: BBC reported that 16 Nepalis died in the icefall avalanche on 18 April 2014. (exact).
27
2018: One major Everest death in 2018 included a traffic jam on descent; report mentions “a backlog of climbers for hours.” (specific “hours”).
28
The 2014 icefall avalanche killed 16 people (Nepalis) immediately; reported by BBC as 16 dead. (exact).
29
The 2015 Nepal earthquake caused avalanche at Everest; BBC reported “at least 19 mountaineers dead.” (exact).
30
The 2015 event: Everest base camp was damaged; BBC described base camp destroyed and deaths. (damage).
Interpretation
Human Factors & Risk Interpretation
Everest’s death statistics read less like fate and more like a timekeeping problem: when “time to summit” stretches past the practical summit window, acclimatization lags, oxygen and turnaround rules are treated like suggestions, and crowds turn the descent into a slow-motion queue through chokepoints, the Death Zone effectively turns late timing into a lethal forecast, with 1996’s late summit pushes and subsequent fatalities, 2014’s icefall tragedy that killed 16 Nepalis, and 2019’s hours-long bottleneck delays all behaving like grim proof that the mountain does not care how heroic your morning was.
Reference
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APA
Elena Vasquez. (2026, February 13). Everest Death Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/everest-death-statistics
MLA
Elena Vasquez. "Everest Death Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/everest-death-statistics.
Chicago
Elena Vasquez. 2026. "Everest Death Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/everest-death-statistics.
Sources & references
88 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level
+61 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)