Rongbuk Glacier

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Rongbuk Glacier and the Mount Everest as seen from the International Space Station.

The Rongbuk Glacier is located in the Himalaya of southern Tibet. Two large tributary glaciers, the East and West Rongbuk Glaciers flow into the Rongbuk Glacier. It flows north and forms the Rongbuk Valley north of Mount Everest. The famous Rongbuk Monastery is located at the northern end of the Rongbuk valley. Mount Everest is the source of the Rongbuk Glacier and East Rongbuk Glacier.

Climbing expeditions and trekking parties use this glacier to reach the Advanced Base Camp of Mount Everest at the head of the East Rongbuk Glacier. From there, climbing expeditions try to summit Everest by the North Col and the northeast ridge.

The Englishman George Mallory first explored the Rongbuk Valley and its glaciers while searching for possible routes to the summit of Mount Everest during the first reconnaissance of the Everest region by westerners in 1921.