N irmal Purja’s recent record-time conquer of all 14 eight-thousanders has revolutionized the mountaineering world. Not only is the Nepali sherpa community finally being given its due credit, but more people are gravitating towards the wondrous realm of mountaineering.
Inspired by Purja’s feat and that of countless other valiant climbers, an increasing number of people are now wondering: “How to Climb Mount Everest?”
Mount Everest holds the title of the world’s tallest mountain, so the enthusiasm makes sense; who wouldn’t want to stand on top of the world?
But climbing Mount Everest isn’t as breezy as Purja made it look. Whether you summit or trek the base camp, the feat requires acute soundness of mind and body and a hoard of knowledge about the “Goddess of the Valley.” This post will help you with the latter.
The former rests on you.
Everest Climbing Season
The climate of Everest is extremely hostile, and the majestic mountain only welcomes climbers in certain seasons.
If you want to summit, the main climbing season is in April and May each year. Summiting attempts continue until May. But after this point, the piercing and meteoric winds from the atmospheric jet stream become fatal.
On the other hand, the base camp is much more welcoming during the pre and post-monsoon seasons (February-May and September-December). The best time to trek the base camp is during the main climbing seasons. During this time, the base camp is bustling with life as aspiring summiteers from all over the globe set up camp.
Getting a Permit
Every foreign traveler needs a permit to climb Mount Everest.
The mountain sits at the international border between China and Nepal, and mountaineers can climb it from either side. The South Base Camp rests in Nepal, whereas the North Base Camp is in China.
Depending on which route you take, you will have to acquire a climbing permit from the respective country. Evading the permit will result in heavy penalties, including a heavy fine, a lifetime ban, and possible jail time.
Getting to Mount Everest Base Camp
Trekking to the Everest Base Camp is an accomplishment in itself. There are two approaches for getting to base camp: “walk-in” or “fly-in.”
The fly-in is the quickest way to get to the base camp and entails flying from Kathmandu (Nepal’s capital) to Lukla airport. Then, it is a few days’ treks to Namche Bazar, where you have to spend a few days acclimatizing to the high altitude.
The walk-in method involves taking a bus from Kathmandu to Jiri, and an arduous 2-week trek to Namche bazaar.
Once your body becomes used to the low oxygen levels, you can then proceed to the base camp. The hike to Everest Base Camp takes around five to seven days.
The Route to The Summit
The climbing period starts the moment you set foot on Everest Base Camp, and the expedition to the summit takes around 2 months. If you’re planning on summiting Mount Everest, here is an overview of your itinerary:
There are a total of 6 camps at different altitudes, each one higher than the last. Climbers spend a lot of time moving back and forth between these camps for the sake of acclimatization or adapting to the low oxygen levels. In fact, the reason that summiting takes so long is because of acclimatization.
The altitudes of each camp are as follows:
- Camp 1/ Base Camp— 5,180 m
- Camp 2 — 6,500 m
- Camp 3/ Advanced Base Camp— 6,500 m
- Camp 4— 7,010 m
- Camp 5— 7,775 m
- Camp 6— 8,230 m
The final push to the summit commences from Camp 6. The time for the summit push depends on weather conditions, and climbers typically have a 10-day window pre and post-monsoon when the weather is relatively clear.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Does It Cost to Climb Mount Everest?
The average cost of climbing Mount Everest is around $45,000 as of 2022. However, the true cost depends on a few things, including:
- Which route (North or South) do you want to take, as China and Nepal have different permit costs.
- Whether your expedition is guided or non-guided.
- The climbing agency with which you travel.
- How much bottled oxygen you take with you
Is Everest More Difficult to Climb Than K2?
Although Everest sits higher than K2, K2 is a much more technical trek than Everest. K2 has more seracs, worse weather conditions, and is prone to more avalanches.
How Much Experience Do You Need to Climb Mount Everest?
Before you ask yourself “how to climb mount Everest,” consider whether or not you are physically ready for it.
Apart from doing regular cardiovascular and endurance training, you should also have considerable experience with mountaineering before attempting to summit the roof of the world.
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