Everest Rainbow Valley: The Untold Story of the World's Highest Mountain
Mount Everest is a symbol of adventure, achievement and human courage. But high above 8,000 metres, Everest reveals another side of its story, the unforgiving environment known as the Death Zone. On Everest's northern side, a section of the high-altitude route has popularly become known as "Rainbow Valley". The name sounds beautiful, but its origin is tragic. Brightly coloured jackets, climbing suits and equipment belonging to climbers who died at extreme altitude have historically remained visible against the snow, ice and rock. Because temperatures are extremely low and conditions are exceptionally dry, human remains and clothing can remain preserved for years. The colourful equipment gave rise to the nickname “Rainbow Valley.” Rainbow Valley is not an official geographic name. Rather, it is a mountaineering expression associated primarily with the Northeast Ridge route on the Tibetan side of Everest. It lies within the broader Death Zone, where oxygen is severely limit...