Climbing Mount Everest is likely not on everyone's bucket list for a variety of reasons, from a fear of heights to a fear of death, but that doesn't mean everyone can't experience the glorious achievement.
Thanks to Google, once again, climbing Mount Everest is possible, albeit it's in a virtual environment. Google's Street View mapping service, along with some partners, is providing the hiking experience and viewers can do it anytime, any day and anywhere as long as they have a computing device and decent connectivity.
Google's Street View becomes a "trail" view as one report notes, with Google teaming up with Apa Sherpa, who has climbed the peak more than any other person in the world. For those trivia buffs, that's a total of 21 climbs to the majestic summit located in the Khumbu region of Nepal.
The two partners, along with Story Cycle, a Nepalese nonprofit and the Apa Sherpa Foundation, helped create the Google map and photography virtual trip during a 10-day excursion. During the trip Google developed its new Street View images and mapping of the location.
"My hope is that when people see this imagery online, they'll have a deeper understanding of the region and the Sherpa people that live there," Apa Sherpa states in a blog post. "The region has much more to offer than just the mountain."
The Street View experience includes images of the Everest Summiteer Lodge, built by Apa Sherpa 19 years ago, as well as other buildings in the area. Viewers can virtually walk the trails on Mount Everest but will only get as far as Gorak Shep. But that's pretty darn close as this view illustrates.
Not only will you enjoy the scenery, but the experience could bring viewers face-to-face with the animal population residing on Mount Everest, including the familiar yak.
Those wanting to take the trek can amble around trails, exploring on their own, or take a guided tour.
Taking the tour provides some unique perspective and history of the acclaimed region — virtual hikers will be able to hear monks chanting and meet Apa Sherpa. You may also want to read up a bit before your travels and this Google blog is pretty informative.
What better way is there to spend the next rainy day lunchtime or that two-hour train ride home tonight?
