【Nanda van Bergen】

Just last week,Nanda van Bergen I had a great conversation with a Manhattan taxi driver named Sherpa, who, after I asked if his name was connected to Nepal, told me that he had indeed stopped working on Mount Everest to live in New York City. Smiling, he suggested I visit the famed (and quite dangerous) mountain one day, to which I replied, "I'm a fragile city guy, maybe one day I'll visit it in virtual reality."

Days after that conversation (yes, it really happened), it turns out that there is, in fact, an incredibly realistic Mount Everest VR experience that launched for the Oculus Rift.

SEE ALSO: Virtual reality offers spooky, realistic view of Trump in the Oval Office

Reykjavík, Iceland-based VR studio Sólfar and visual effects house RVX are behind Everest VR, an immersive experience that allows you to travel the face of Mount Everest, including the well known locations Base Camp, the Khumbu Icefall, Camp Four, Hillary Step, Lhotse Face and the Summit.

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Unlike some other so-called VR experiences that simply give you 360-degree video and photo views of far off places, Everest VRactually gives you the power to climb Everest using the Oculus Touch controllers to wield harnesses, pulleys and an ice axe to pull you up the mountain's face.

Mashable Light Speed Want more out-of-this world tech, space and science stories? Sign up for Mashable's weekly Light Speed newsletter. By clicking Sign Me Up, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Thanks for signing up!

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

However, it's not set up like a game. Instead, audio narration guides you throughout the mountain planes in between climbing missions (which are surprisingly realistic, falling ice danger included).

There's also a "God Mode" that does away with the climbing aspect and lets you tour Everest using teleportation. The best part of this feature is that it allows you to change the size of your virtual body, giving you varying views.

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

I've spent a good deal of time "traveling" to places in 360-degree immersive apps, but thanks to the interactivity, this is easily the best VR tour I've experienced since Google Earth VR.

Everest VRis available now for $14.99 on Oculus Home and on Steam for the HTC Vive.

---

Featured Video For You

---

HTC Vive transforms your whole living room into virtual reality

---

Topics Oculus Virtual Reality

• Life
• Social Good
• Digital Culture
• Games
• Shopping
• Science
• Deals
• Entertainment

• Final Fantasy XV Mega CPU Battle
• When to wear a double mask for protection from a coronavirus infection
• Jumping for Joyce, and Other News by Sadie Stein
• Elon Musk says Tesla might achieve fully autonomous driving 'later this year'
• AMD Radeon RX 550 + Intel Pentium G4560
• 'Insidious: The Red Door' review: A fine final chapter to close The Further
• What We’re Doing: Necessary Errors at McNally Jackson by Sadie Stein
• Wordle today: Here's the answer and hints for July 6
• Best tablet deal: Save $45 on Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet
• Week in Culture: Sophie Pinkham, Slavicist by Sophie Pinkham

• Google Assistant hits 1 billion devices as war against Alexa heats up
• Eagles fans Venmo Bears kicker to thank him for missing field goal
• Apple is bringing iTunes and AirPlay 2 to Samsung TVs
• Put down that pug: Vets urge people to stop buying flat
• Incredibly detailed satellite images show volcano's collapse after volcanic tsunami
• Samsung's new Space monitor is perfect for tiny offices
• FoldiMate's $1000 laundry
• Trump selling 'deplorable' t
• Secluded library retreat is a book lover's dream
• Christian Bale credits Satan for his portrayal of Dick Cheney in 'Vice'

• Best Amazon deal: Get a $5 Amazon credit when you spend $30 on home essentials
• Heartless Thief Steals Books on Bikes Bicycle, and Other News by Sadie Stein
• Hate groups are moving to encrypted online platforms, making them harder to track
• Hate groups are moving to encrypted online platforms, making them harder to track
• You won't see Elon Musk smoking weed in public again, NASA admin says
• Wordle today: Here's the answer and hints for July 6
• And just like that, Gloria Steinem makes a cameo in 'Sex and the City'
• What We’re Doing: Not Staying in Room 1212
• No Time for a Negative Peace
• And Tremble by Sadie Stein

• President Trump says semiconductor tariffs are next
• Happy Birthday, Julia by Sadie Stein
• 'Quordle' today: See each 'Quordle' answer and hints for July 8
• Happy Birthday, Sara Teasdale by Sadie Stein
• Shop Owala's Memorial Day Sale for 30% off tumblers
• In the Ninth by Mark Chiusano
• Ron Burgundy Is Writing a Memoir, and Other News by Sadie Stein
• Big Box by Sadie Stein
• 'The Last of Us' Season 2, episode 4: Why Ellie sings 'Take on Me'
• OK, I admit some TikTok recipes are actually kind of great