Injuries and Risks of Climbing Mount Everest

Climbing Everest exposes mountaineers to severe hazards:

• Altitude sickness (AMS, HAPE, HACE): Headache, nausea, pulmonary/cerebral edema from hypoxia.
• Frostbite: Freezing of extremities (fingers, toes, nose, ears) in extreme cold.
• Hypothermia: Core body temperature drops below 35°C (95°F), leading to confusion, unconsciousness, death.
• Mechanical injuries: Fractures, dislocations, sprains from falls, rockfall, icefall.
• Retinal hemorrhage: Burst eye vessels from high altitude and exertion.
• Snow blindness: UV corneal damage from intense snow reflection.
• Death: From avalanches, falls, altitude illness, exposure, exhaustion.

Proper acclimatization, gear, experienced guides, and turnaround discipline are critical for survival.