Why the Mount Everest Summit Appears to Shimmer on Expedition
In the cold, thin air near the Mount Everest summit, light behaves in strange ways. Atmospheric refraction can create mirages and visual distortions that challenge the eyes of every Mount Everest expedition member and Everest trekking group.
Temperature inversions can cause the Mount Everest summit to appear much larger or closer than it actually is. This 'looming' can lead to errors in judgment for Mount Everest expedition teams who are racing against a closing weather window.
Complex layers of air can stack images of distant peaks, creating the appearance of floating castles or giant walls. For those on an Everest trekking adventure, these mirages add a surreal, mystical quality to the journey toward the Mount Everest summit.
The high, clear air of the Mount Everest summit region is one of the few places where the rare 'green flash' is visible as the sun sets. It is a stunning reward for those spending the night at high-altitude Mount Everest expedition camps.
The physics of light adds to the mystery and majesty of the Mount Everest summit. Keep your eyes open for these rare optical phenomena during your next Mount Everest expedition and Everest trekking adventure.
