This month we head outside to get a little dirty and celebrate three April occasions:  National Wildlife Week, National Park Week, and Earth Day.  Yes, scrappers, it is time to head outside and get in touch with our natural selves.  Where to go?  Time to climb Mount Everest!

Everest is the highest mountain on Earth, as measured by the height of its summit above sea level, which is 8,848 meters or 29,028 feet. The mountain, which is part of the Himalaya range in High Asia, is located on the border between Nepal and Tibet. The Tibetan name for Mount Everest is Chomolungma translated as Goddess Mother of the Earth.

Mt. Everest has two main climbing routes, the southeast ridge from Nepal and the northeast ridge from Tibet. Of the two main routes, the southeast ridge is technically easier and is the more frequently-used route as Chinese officials heavily regulate their borders along the northern route.  This year, controversy surrounds this route as the Chinese government again plans to close their route allowing only the Olympic flame relay team to travel to the peak.

Most attempts are made during May before the summer monsoon season. A change in the jet stream at this time of year reduces the average wind speeds high on the mountain. While attempts are sometimes made after the monsoons in September and October, the additional snow deposited by the monsoons and the less stable weather patterns makes climbing more difficult. Climbers are a significant source of tourist revenue for Nepal, whose government also requires all prospective climbers to obtain an expensive permit, costing up to $25,000