How do they cook on Mount Everest?

Due to the extreme altitude and harsh weather conditions on Mount Everest, cooking techniques and fuel availability are significantly different from conventional methods. Climbers must carefully consider the challenges they will face when cooking at high altitudes. Here are the key adaptations they make:

1. Fuel Efficiency:

- Since carrying large quantities of fuel is impractical, climbers rely on fuels that are lightweight and efficient. Examples include white gas (naphtha), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and kerosene.

- Stoves specially designed for high-altitude cooking are used, such as the Jetboil or MSR Reactor, which minimize fuel usage and provide faster cooking times.

2. Cooking Times:

- The boiling point of water decreases with altitude. At the summit of Everest (8,849 m), water boils at around 68 degrees Celsius (155 degrees Fahrenheit), nearly 25 degrees Celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit) lower than at sea level.

- This lower boiling point significantly increases cooking times. Meals that normally cook within a few minutes at sea level may take 20 to 30 minutes or more at higher elevations.

3. Meal Planning:

- Climbers often select foods that require less cooking time and hydration, such as instant soups, freeze-dried meals, and dehydrated foods.

- Foods high in calories, carbohydrates, and protein are prioritized to provide energy and sustain the climbers' physical demands.

- They also bring high-energy snacks, such as chocolate, energy bars, and dried fruits, which require minimal preparation.

4. Pressure Cookers:

- Pressure cookers are commonly used on Everest expeditions as they can significantly reduce cooking times. By raising the pressure inside the pot, water reaches a higher temperature (at least 100 degrees Celsius or 212 degrees Fahrenheit) while under pressure.

- This accelerated boiling shortens the cooking process and allows climbers to prepare meals more efficiently.

5. Hydration:

- Adequate hydration is crucial for climbers, as the dry, cold air at high altitudes can dehydrate them rapidly.

- Melting ice and snow is a primary source of water, but fuel consumption and availability may limit how much water can be boiled for cooking.

- Climbers carefully manage their water usage, balancing hydration needs with cooking requirements.

6. Safety Measures:

- Cooking at high altitudes requires extra safety precautions:

- Cooking tents are set up separately from sleeping tents to avoid fire hazards.

- Climbers take precautions to avoid burns, as the reduced sensitivity to pain and touch at high altitudes can make it difficult to perceive heat properly.

Cooking on Mount Everest is a challenging task, demanding ingenuity, careful meal planning, and adaptation to the unique conditions of the world's highest peak.