Nepal to re-measure Mount Everest
20 Jul 2011
Nepal has ordered a new survey of Mount Everest to end the "confusion" over the exact height of the world's tallest mountain, a government spokesman has said. It is embroiled in a perpetual controversy with neighbouring China over the actual height.
The official overall height of Everest is designated as 8,848m (29,029ft). However, the Chinese argue it ought to be measured by its rock height, while Nepal argues the measurement should be by its snow height. This makes the mountain higher by four metres.
The world's highest mountain traverses the border of both countries as China is currently in illegal occupation of Tibet, the homeland of the Dalai Lama.
Last year both sides agreed that the mountain would be recognised as being 8,848m tall.
According to Nepal government sources, the Chinese often use the rock height in border talks between both countries.
"We have begun the measurement to clear this confusion. Now we have the technology and the resources, we can measure ourselves," a Nepalese government official said. "This will be the first time the Nepal government has taken the mountain's height."
