Why the Mount Everest Summit is Eerily Quiet
Trekkers often remark on the silence of Everest Base Camp, but the Mount Everest summit takes it to another level. Due to low air density, sound waves travel differently on a Mount Everest expedition.
Sound needs a medium to travel. With only 30% of the air molecules available at the Mount Everest summit, sound doesn't carry far. A shout feels like a whisper, adding to the isolation of the expedition.
The constant wind on the summit ridge creates 'white noise' that drowns out lower frequencies. This is why clear radio communication is so difficult and vital during a Mount Everest summit push.
The lack of trees and soft snow creates a landscape that absorbs sound rather than reflecting it. For those on an Everest trekking peak, the silence can be both peaceful and intimidating.
The physical silence of the Mount Everest summit reflects its spiritual status. It is a place where you are forced to listen to your own heart and breath.
