Haunting reason why area of Mount Everest was named Rainbow Valley

People are only just learning how Mount Everest's Rainbow Valley got its name.

Every year, hundreds of people challenges themselves to reach the summit of the world's highest peak, which sits at a staggering 29,032 feet.

As of this month, over 7,000 people have successfully reached the summit.

2018 marked the most summits in one year, with around 800 people achieving the difficult goal.

The same year was when Kenton Cool reached the summit 13 times - the most for a British climber.

While we often hear of the success stories of people climbing Mount Everest, sadly not every climber's mission is successful.

It's estimated that as many as 300 people have died on the mountain, many of whom will tragically remain there.

Apparently Everest once claimed nine lives in 11 days.

As well as being extremely difficult to access the body, the cost to bring the body back down the mountain is extremely expensive. As per The Sun, it can set you back as much as £53,500 ($68,167), and many even result in more deaths.

Hundreds of people attempt to climb Mount Everest each year (Getty Stock Images)

In the run up to Everest's summit, there's a place known as Rainbow Valley that sits just above 8,000m from sea level.

As to how the area of Everest earned the name, the 'rainbow' part is in reference to the colorful coats of deceased climbers that stand out against the white snow.

Rainbow Valley sits in what's known as the Death Zone of Everest which, as per its name, is where the largest amount of summit hopefuls have lost their lives.

It's here that oxygen levels drop drastically and the weather harshens, says Marvel Adventure.

It is also extremely cramped, meaning it only fits one body on every step.

With this in mind, should someone die on the route, they're often pushed off it with Rainbow Valley becoming their eventual graveyard.

As to what happens to your body in the Death Zone, there are numerous complications it brings.

Everest's Death Zone has claimed many lives (Getty Stock Images)

"At these altitudes, the oxygen levels are insufficient to sustain human life for an extended period," says Expedreview.

"Additionally, exposure to stronger UV radiation, freezing temperatures and extreme weather pose other dangers to climbers above this point."

Many deaths that have occurred on Everest are caused by the affects of being at high altitude.

Some bodies that remain in the Death Zone are being unearthed as a result of global warming as Everest has lost 180ft of ice in recent years.

A search team whose expedition started earlier this year had found five bodies on the mountain by June 2024.

One body, encased in ice up to its torso, took the climbers 11 hours to free, CBS News reported.

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