South Summit

The South Summit is a subsidiary peak of Mount Everest, located in the Himalayas between the South Col and the main summit. Rising to 8,749 metres, it is higher than K2 but not considered a separate mountain due to its low prominence.

Climbers often pause at the South Summit to change oxygen bottles and assess conditions before attempting the final push. The dome-shaped peak of snow and ice offers views of the Cornice Traverse and the Hillary Step in clear weather.

First climbed in 1953 by Charles Evans and Tom Bourdillon, the South Summit has a rich history. It was later traversed by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay on their way to the main summit, and has been the site of both triumph and tragedy, including the 1996 disaster.