Edmund Hillary: References & Edit History

Researcher's Note

Height of Mount Everest

The height of Mount Everest, according to the most recent and reliable data, is 29,031.69 feet (8,848.86 metres), which rounds to 29,032 feet (8,849 metres). This measurement, jointly declared by China and Nepal in 2020, was derived from data from surveys performed by Nepal in 2019 and China in 2020 that utilized GPS and BeiDou navigation technology and laser theodolites. It was accepted by various specialists in the fields of geodesy and cartography, including the National Geographic Society.

Mount Everest’s height has not always been agreed upon. Controversy over the exact elevation of the summit developed because of variations in snow level, gravity deviation, and light refraction. The figure of 29,028 feet (8,848 metres), plus or minus a fraction, was established by the Indian government’s Survey of India in 1952–54 and became widely accepted. This value was used by most researchers, mapping agencies, and publishers (including the National Geographic Society) until 1999.

Other attempts had been made since the 1950s to remeasure the mountain’s height, but until 1999 none had found general acceptance. A Chinese survey in 1975 obtained the figure of 29,029.24 feet (8,848.11 metres), and an Italian survey, using satellite surveying techniques, obtained a value of 29,108 feet (8,872 metres) in 1987, but questions arose about the methods used. In 1986 a measurement of K2, regarded as the world’s second highest mountain, seemed to indicate that it was higher than Everest, but this was subsequently shown to be an error. In 1992 another Italian survey, using GPS and laser measurement technology, yielded the figure 29,023 feet (8,846 metres) by subtracting from the measured height 6.5 feet (2 metres) of ice and snow on the summit, but the methodology used was again called into question.

In 1999 an American survey, sponsored by the (U.S.) National Geographic Society and others, took precise measurements using Global Positioning System (GPS) equipment. Their finding of 29,035 feet, with an error margin of plus or minus 6.5 feet (2 metres), was accepted by the society and by various specialists in the fields of geodesy and cartography.

The Chinese mounted another expedition in 2005 that utilized ice-penetrating radar in conjunction with GPS equipment. The result of this was what the Chinese called a “rock height” of 29,017.12 feet (8,844.43 metres), which, though widely reported in the media, was recognized only by China for the next several years. Nepal in particular disputed the Chinese figure, preferring what they termed the “snow height” of 29,028 feet. In April 2010 China and Nepal agreed to recognize the validity of both figures. In 2020 China and Nepal agreed on the currently accepted height of 29,031.69 feet (8,848.86 metres).

Article History

Type Description Contributor Date
Media added. Jul 24, 2024
Media added. Jul 23, 2024
Anniversary information added. Jul 16, 2024
Updated Tenzing Norgay's nationality to conform with his biography. Apr 26, 2024
First paragraph modernization. Mar 13, 2024
Add new Web site: National Geographic - Everest 1953: First Footsteps - Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay. Mar 05, 2024
Anniversary information added. Jan 07, 2024
Add new Web site: Christchurch City Libraries - Sir Edmund Hillary. May 10, 2023
Add new Web site: The My HERO Project - Biography of Sir Edmund Hillary. Mar 31, 2023
Add new Web site: National Archives - Biography of Sir Edmund Hillary. Nov 25, 2022
Corrected display issue. Jan 11, 2021
Top Questions updated. Oct 15, 2019
Changed article title from "Sir Edmund Hillary" to "Edmund Hillary." Aug 01, 2019
Corrected display issue. Jan 11, 2019
Add new Web site: New Zealand History - Biography of Edmund Hillary. Oct 12, 2017
Add new Web site: Easy Science for Kids - Biography of Edmund Hillary. Sep 28, 2017
Add new Web site: The Guardian - Biography of Sir Edmund Hillary. Aug 05, 2016
Add new Web site: The New York Times - Edmund Hillary, First on Everest, Dies at 88. Aug 05, 2016
Add new Web site: New Zealand History - Biography of Edmund Hillary. Aug 05, 2016
Add new Web site: Buzzle.com - Biography of Edmund Hillary. Jun 05, 2014
Add new Web site: Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand - Biography of Edmund Percival Hillary. Feb 01, 2013
Added photographs. Sep 05, 2012
In the description of Tenzing Norgay, changed "Sherpa" to "Tibetan." Jan 31, 2012
Replaced black-and-white photo of Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay on Mount Everest in 1953 with colour version. Mar 11, 2011
Article revised and updated. Feb 07, 2008
Article revised and updated. Jan 10, 2008
Added new Web site: Academy of Achievement - Sir Edmund Hillary. Jul 26, 2006
Added new Web site: TIME 100: Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay. Jul 10, 2006
Article revised. Mar 04, 2004
Article revised. Dec 30, 1999
Article added to new online database. Jul 20, 1998
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