On May 29, 1953, New Zealand climber Edmund Hillary made history as the first person to reach the summit of Mount Everest.
Alongside him was Tenzing Norgay, a Nepali Sherpa whose role is often overlooked. Together, they conquered the highest point on Earth — one of the last great frontiers of human exploration. Their achievement remains impressive even today, though much has changed.
Mount Everest is no longer just a daunting expedition—it has become a bucket-list destination. What once was an epic adventure is now marketed as a guided trekking experience for anyone with a reasonable fitness level and enough money to cover the costs.
Dozens of companies organize expeditions to the top, attracting people from all over the world. For many, this has trivialized the feat of climbing the world’s tallest peak.
It may seem like anyone can pull it off these days. But the story of Rainbow Valley, one of the deadliest zones on Everest, makes it clear that the danger remains very real, especially for those who attempt the climb without proper preparation.
The Final Resting Place of Hundreds of Climbers
Rainbow Valley is located in the so-called “Death Zone” of Mount Everest, at over 8,000 meters above sea level. It’s a key section on the final push to the summit, which lies nearly a full kilometer above.
Despite its seemingly poetic name, Rainbow Valley hides a grim truth. It’s called “rainbow” because of the many colorful jackets scattered across the snow, jackets still worn by the bodies of climbers who perished on the way up or down.
By some estimates, more than 300 bodies remain in this frozen corridor—too dangerous and costly to retrieve. Ice and snow have partially buried them, but the bright colors of their gear still stand out against the white expanse of the Himalayas.
It’s a macabre sight, a chilling reminder of the raw reality of this mountain. Human ambition pitted against nature’s unforgiving power. And in many cases, the mountain wins.
As the number of climbing permits issued each year increases, so does the death toll. And not just in Rainbow Valley—fatalities occur throughout the ascent, which typically takes several days and grows dramatically harder at higher altitudes.
And Rainbow Valley is where this danger is at its worst.
No Oxygen, Extreme Cold, and Fading Strength
Conditions in Rainbow Valley are brutal, even for seasoned mountaineers. While the terrain itself is not the most rugged, the temperatures can plummet below –50°C (–58°F), depending on the time of year.
To make matters worse, the oxygen level at that altitude is just one-third of what we normally breathe. Staying there too long can be fatal, especially if climbers are already physically depleted.
Altitude sickness, disorientation, and frostbite are the primary killers in Rainbow Valley. Unlike in lower sections of the mountain, most deaths here aren’t caused by falls or avalanches, but by hypothermia and sheer exposure.
With their strength failing, climbers may stop to catch their breath, thinking they just need a brief break before the final push to the summit. But Rainbow Valley is a trap, and for many, it is where they take their last breath.
That’s why their bodies remain in the snow, their colorful jackets serving as grim warnings to those who follow.
Everest Is Not an Adventure Park
Climbing Mount Everest should never be treated as a recreational activity or an extreme hike. It’s a life-threatening endeavor, and should be respected as such.
Not everyone is prepared to handle what the mountain demands, no matter how much support or equipment they bring.
