This might be the best thing on the Internet.
Not to detract in any way from this amazing-ness by use of hyperbole, but… mind: BLOWN. The presentation of the world’s reefs were impressive enough. This, however, is next level. Take the rest of the day off and find yourself a nice, quiet place to relax we’re about to take off for the Khumbu region of Nepal. Yep, from the comfort of wherever you are, trek through the region, a collection of villages that are home to the sherpas (separated into six manageable areas), and even have a leisurely stroll through Base Camp — without the stink!
The Climbers Memorial is a good place to start…
…though the Tengboche Monastery is a must see as well.
Nice timing. It coincides perfectly with the release of the first Ultra HD footage of the Himalayas.
You’re not able to summit the mountain yet, but we’re sure that is soon to come. The landing page provides up the backstory for the project as well as the team behind it:
Inspired by their love of mountaineering, four Googlers decided go on a trip to Everest Base Camp in 2011. Before leaving they learned they could capture imagery of the trip for Google Maps with a tripod and digital camera, and make the photos available in Google Maps for all to see. So they loaded their packs with cameras, tripods, wide-angle lenses, solar chargers, batteries and laptops, and hopped on a plane to Nepal.
The trek to Everest Base Camp was a 12-day adventure in the mountains where they battled altitude sickness, an earthquake, mudslides, snow storms and flash floods to reach their destination and capture this imagery. With the equipment typically used for the Business Photos program, they captured a collection of panoramas at key camps and other interesting stops along the way, including a Buddhist monastery.
This intrepid team hiked more than 70 miles (about 50 hours) and reached an altitude of 18,192 feet — higher than anywhere in the contiguous U.S. Thanks to their efforts, and the leadership of their guide Bhuwan Karki of Adventure Treks Nepal, this breathtaking imagery is now available in Street View.
“Breathtaking” is an understatement if I have ever heard one, especially in the vicarious discovery of the Khumbu it offers: the six areas include Lukla, Namch Bazaar, Khumjung, Thame, Phortse, andAlong the Path. There is the local infrastructure from schools and libraries to homes and lodges. There is also the cermonious, from memorials and national parks to monasteries and shrines. And with background noise as well as narration, the story being told isn’t merely visual but comprehensive.
There, you’re even able to meet Apa Sherpa.
“Nicknamed ‘Super Sherpa,’ Apa Sherpa holds the world record for summiting Mt. Everest 21 times, more than anyone in history. In 2012, he was the first person to complete the Great Himalaya Trail, widely considered to be one of the world’s most difficult treks. He now dedicates his life to improving education and economic opportunities for local kids through the Apa Sherpa Foundation. The Foundation’s work is focused in Thame, which is also the hometown of another super sherpa: the legendary Tenzing Norgay.”
From this initial introduction, you are then able to explore his Everest Summiteer Lodge or the lower secondary school, show with four other destinations on the interactive map (screenshot-ed below).
If you want more history, there is even Kancha Sherpa, the last surviving member of the first successful summit expedition in 1953 that ultimately defined the legacy of Sir Edmund Hillary.
If you prefer to take a guided tour, they have that is well.
Exactly… mind: BLOWN.
