This jumping spider is the highest permanent resident on the planet. Totally at home amongst the glaciers of Everest, it scours the slopes for wind-borne prey such as springtails. Chinese call this fierce little hunter the “fly tiger”. Jumping spiders are found all over the world. Their eight eyes include an oversized central pair, which act like powerful binoculars to spot potential victims. They use hydraulic pressure to work their legs like pistons, catapulting up to 30 times their own body length. The ideal way to get around in rocky terrain. But like all mountaineers, they always secure a safety line first. A springtail grazes on the detritus, unaware that it’s been stalked by such an acrobatic predator. 

 

The Tibetans call Everest “Qomolangma”, meaning mother of the world. It’s a mark of their affection for the mountain, however brutal it may appear. Venture further from the mountain and out  onto the open plateau and life doesn’t appear to get any easier. High winds scour the landscape and temperatures can drop from baking to freezing in moments. 

 

This is the Chang Tang, or Northern Grassland. It’s so remote that it’s been called a third pole.