At What Temperature Does Water Boil at the Top of Mount Everest?

Water boils at 100°C (212°F) at sea level, but when it comes to the top of Mount Everest, things are quite different. The boiling point of water decreases with altitude due to lower atmospheric pressure.

At the summit of Mount Everest, which stands at 8,848 meters (29,029 feet) above sea level, the atmospheric pressure is significantly lower than it is at sea level. This reduced pressure means that water will boil at a temperature lower than 100°C. Specifically, water boils at about 70°C (158°F) at this extreme height.

This has important implications for climbers on Everest, as cooking food or purifying water can be much more challenging. It’s crucial to understand how altitude affects boiling points not just for practical climbing purposes but also for scientific reasons.

More Related Questions