At 29,035 feet (8,848 meters) above sea level, this peak, located in Nepal/Tibet, is flanked by glaciers and a particularly treacherous, but coveted climb. Named for Sir George Everest, British surveyor-general of India in the 1800s, it was first successfully climbed on May 29, 1953, by Sir Edmund Hillary of New Zealand and Tenzing Norgay, a Nepalese Sherpa guide.

Amazingly, this peak is just one of 30 that is higher than 24,000 feet. “Abode of snow” is the translation of the word “Himalaya,” which reflects the permanent fields of snow lining the peaks. Because of varying depths of snow of up to 20 feet, the height changes constantly.

This expedition is planned for March 2006.