Mount Everest is known for its breathtaking beauty and its overwhelming height, yet there is a part of the mountain that very few people know. Rainbow Valley seems an attractive place, but this place is completely opposite of this pretty name. It is such a place where a person reaches very near to death; however, surviving gives new birth to life. Mountaineers have to encounter the extremely powerful forces of nature.
Rainbow Valley is not a garden of colourful flowers, nor a scenic spot with natural rainbows. It is a high-altitude zone filled with frozen bodies of climbers who never made it back. Their jackets, boots, and climbing gear, painted in bright reds, blues, yellows, and oranges, give the valley its haunting name.
Through this article, we will know everything connected with Rainbow Valley, along with important details about where Mount Everest is located, its country, Everest’s altitude, and why this mountain remains the highest peak in the world.
Mount Everest: The Home of Rainbow Valley
Before diving deeper into Rainbow Valley itself, it’s important to understand where this mountain stands and why it holds such significance.
Mount Everest in Which Country?
Mount Everest lies in two countries:
- Nepal (south side)
- China (Tibet) on the north side
The exact border of these two nations runs right across the summit. So, climbers from either country can technically reach the top from their respective sides. However, the Nepal side is the most used route.
Where Is Mount Everest Located?
Mount Everest is situated in the Himalayan mountain range, the highest mountain system in the world.
More specifically:
- In the Mahalangur Himal sub-range
- Near Sagarmatha National Park in Nepal
- Close to Tingri County in Tibet, China
It stands tall among dozens of giant peaks, but none of them come close to its height.
The Highest Mountain Peak in the World
Everest is famously known as the highest mountain peak in the world.
Its official height is 8,848.86 meters (29,031.7 feet).
This measurement was jointly declared by China and Nepal in 2020.
This extreme altitude is the main reason why Rainbow Valley exists because the “death zone” around 8,000 meters is too hostile for the human body to recover from exhaustion, mishaps, or extreme weather.
What Exactly Is Rainbow Valley on Mount Everest?
Rainbow Valley sits just below Everest’s summit, inside the “death zone”.
This region is known for:
- Extremely low oxygen
- Brutal temperatures
- Severe winds
- Rocky and icy slopes
- Very limited rescue possibilities
The valley earned its name because of the multi-coloured jackets, gloves, and climbing equipment left behind by climbers who died on their way up or down. Over time, these bright colours remain frozen and visible, creating a disturbing yet unforgettable scene.
Why Are the Bodies Not Removed?
Removing bodies from this altitude is almost impossible, because:
- Climbers struggle to even breathe at 8,000 meters
- The body weight increases due to freezing
- Slopes are steep and unstable
- Helicopters cannot fly that high safely
- Rescuers risk their own lives
So, many climbers who lose their lives remain there permanently, preserved by cold.
The Truth Behind the Name: Beautiful Yet Tragic
People often imagine Rainbow Valley as a colourful landscape of lights or rare reflections.
But once climbers reach that part of Everest, the truth hits hard. It is a disturbing graveyard. The colours are real, but the story behind them is heartbreaking and painful.
The Death Zone Surrounding Rainbow Valley
The death zone begins at 8,000 meters, where:
- Humans cannot survive for long
- Oxygen levels drop drastically
- Every step feels like lifting a mountain
- The body starts shutting down
Climbers often make risky decisions here, driven by exhaustion, hallucination, or the pressure to reach the summit. Many who slip, collapse, or freeze become a part of Rainbow Valley forever.
Why Do Climbers Still Choose to Pass Through Rainbow Valley?
Because Rainbow Valley lies directly along the final route to the summit, climbers are forced to pass through it whether they like it or not.
For many climbers:
- It becomes a reminder of the reality of Everest
- It forces them to face fear, mortality, and the true cost of ambition
- It symbolizes the thin line between glory and tragedy
Some describe it as the most silent place on Earth, where even the sound of the wind feels heavy.
Weather and Conditions Near Rainbow Valley
Weather plays a huge role in how the valley looks and how difficult it is to cross. Weather is highly dangerous and extremely unpredictable.
Common conditions include:
- Whiteouts (no visibility)
- −30°C to −50°C temperatures
- Ice storms
- Wind strong enough to blow climbers off balance
- Frozen terrain
- Low-oxygen air
Even experienced climbers can collapse due to:
- Frostbite
- Oxygen deprivation
- Exhaustion
- Sudden weather shifts
This is why every year, more climbers unfortunately join those already in the valley.
Why Is Rainbow Valley a Topic of Global Curiosity?
People search about Rainbow Valley because:
- It is part of the world’s highest mountain
- It reflects the dangers of extreme ambition
- It reveals the harsh truth behind high-altitude climbing
- It shows the human cost of adventure
- It has an eerie beauty and a haunting sadness
Climbers describe the valley as unforgettable, not because of its beauty, but because of the deep emotional impact it leaves behind.
A Place of Respect, Not Entertainment
Rainbow Valley should never be treated as a tourist attraction or a sensational topic.
It is a place where climbers, adventurers, and dreamers lost their lives doing something they loved.
It reminds the world that Everest is not just a mountain. It is a test of human limits, nature’s power, and the thin line between life and death.
FAQs About Rainbow Valley Everest
1. Mount Everest in which country?
Mount Everest lies on the border of Nepal and China (Tibet). Both countries share the summit.
2. Where is Mt. Everest located?
It is situated in the Himalayas, mainly in Sagarmatha National Park (Nepal) and the Tibetan Plateau (China).
3. What is the altitude of Mount Everest?
Everest stands at 8,848.86 meters (29,031.7 feet) above sea level.
4. Is Mount Everest the highest mountain peak in the world?
Yes. Everest is officially the highest mountain on Earth, measured from sea level
5. What is Rainbow Valley on Everest?
Rainbow Valley is a high-altitude zone near the summit where many fallen climbers remain, and their colourful gear creates a rainbow-like appearance.
6. Why can’t bodies be removed from Rainbow Valley?
Because the extreme altitude, freezing weather, thin air, and dangerous slopes make rescue nearly impossible. Attempting to remove bodies is tantamount to endangering another life.
7. Is Rainbow Valley visible to all climbers?
Yes, climbers on the traditional route must pass through or very near Rainbow Valley on their final ascent.
