Wanderlust World Wanderlust World Yes, many people have successfully climbed to the summit of Mount Everest on foot. The first confirmed ascent was achieved by Sir Edmund Hillary of New Zealand and Tenzing Norgay, a Sherpa of Nepal, on May 29, 1953, via the South Col route.
Since that historic climb, over 5,000 individuals have reached the summit of the world's highest peak (8,848.86 meters / 29,031.7 feet). The mountain has become a major destination for mountaineers, though it remains an extremely dangerous endeavor requiring extensive preparation, experience, and acclimatization. Climbers face severe risks including altitude sickness, avalanches, crevasses, extreme weather, and the "death zone" above 8,000 meters where oxygen levels are insufficient for sustained human life.