Air Pressure on Mount Everest: It Decreases as You Climb

Direct Answer: Pressure Decreases

As you ascend Mount Everest, atmospheric pressure drops steadily.

Why?

• Pressure = weight of air column above you
• Higher altitude = less air above = lower pressure

Key Numbers

• Sea level: 1013 hPa (1 atm)
• Base Camp (5,364 m): ~500 hPa (~50% of sea level)
• Summit (8,848 m): ~330 hPa (~33% of sea level)

Physiological Impact

• Less oxygen per breath (hypoxia)
• Requires acclimatization, supplemental O₂ above 8,000 m
• Boiling point of water drops to ~71°C at summit

Pressure decrease is the fundamental challenge of high-altitude mountaineering.