Climbing Mount Everest has changed dramatically since the first human reached the summit in 1953. Hundreds of mountaineers complete the feat each year thanks to advances in understanding, technology, and the considerable infrastructure supplied by professionally organized excursions.
For those ready to accept both the hazards and the expensive price tag, they give a real freeway up the mountain.
Where is Everest Located?
Mount Everest, also known as Sagarmatha in Nepali and Chomolungma in Tibetan, spans the Nepal-Tibet boundary at the peak of the Himalayan Mountain group.
Even though reaching the summit of the world is a challenging and risky task because of the tremendous elevation, avalanches, icefalls, and other risks, the peak is located near the equator, at a latitude of around 28 degrees, similar to Tampa, Florida.
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How Much Does It Cost To Climb Mount Everest?
Climbing Everest in 2017 was anything from $28,000 to $120,000, but prices have continued to rise. The cost of climbing Everest now ranges from $30,000 to $160,000, with the average being approximately $45,000.
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You may be asking why there is such a wide pricing range. There are various methods to personalize your climb up Mount Everest. The amount you pay will primarily be determined by how much you’re prepared to spend on assistance, transportation, food, and equipment.
Cost of Transportation
Transport expense is another aspect of a Mount Everest expedition that varies tremendously based on the climber. When it comes to transportation, there are numerous variable expenses, and the cost of your trip, for example, will vary based on where you’re traveling from, the airline, and other flight-specific fees. However, the traveling charges do not cease after you arrive. The trip to basecamp alone could set you back at least $4,000 per person.
Cost of Support
Support is a big part of what it costs to climb Mount Everest. Everest isn’t your typical walk in the park, and simply attempting to summit the peak, much alone doing it without assistance, involves extensive training and planning. As a result, most climbers spend money on support services.
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What is the price of Everest climbing support? That depends on the extent to which you require assistance. You may have to pay a minimum of $45,000 and $160,000 if you take the “full service” approach.
Sherpas are an essential element of practically every Everest trip for mountaineering support. Sherpas are Tibetans living on the Himalayan slopes and aid Everest climbers with responsibilities such as cooking, lugging gear, and making critical choices. While hiring a Sherpa isn’t essential for climbing Mount Everest, it may significantly improve your chances of reaching the top — and many people believe it’s a service worth paying for.
You will have to spend $5,000 on a personal climbing Sherpa, $3,000 on a Sherpa for loading and unloading, and $2,000 for cooking.
Permit Costs
Permits are the most expensive aspect of conquering Mt. Everest, and it’s one you can’t escape. However, there are two separate ways you can climb Mount Everest, each with its own set of costs: northern Tibet and southern Nepal.
In Nepal, the approvals cost $11,000—plus an extra $2,500 for getting a local company to help with the permit, whereas, in Tibet, it costs $8,000.
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The permit prices for Everest aren’t low, so you might think twice about climbing. However, these fees are imposed for a good reason. The permits protect the environment, cultural heritage, and livelihood of locals by placing necessary financial resources into safeguarding them.
Equipment and Gear Costs
Are you traveling to Everest? You’ll need to spend money on the necessary equipment. Based on what you need and the caliber of the equipment, you should expect to spend approximately $6,000 to $8,000 on equipment to reach the peak of the world’s highest mountain.
Do you need any special gear to climb Mount Everest? Among the items you require are climbing equipment, such as crampons, an ice ax, and a belay; technical clothing, such as a down coat, base layer, and trekking pants; and camping equipment, such as a sleeping bag, a tent, and a thermos.
Despite the long and expensive gear list, the great news is that you can begin with the items you already own.
If you’re a rookie outdoorsman, you’re probably already equipped with the essentials, such as base layers, hiking socks, a t-shirt with moisture-wicking properties, and a jacket. Given the length of the list, starting with these things is a great place to start.
There is also the case of oxygen. This is no ordinary hike. In addition to being a necessity for Everest expeditions, supplemental oxygen is among the most expensive supplies. Despite the possibility of summiting Everest without oxygen, it’s riddled with severe risks such as respiratory alkalosis and hyperventilation.
On average, Everest climbers use five or six oxygen bottles, each costing around $600. Climbers will also require an oxygen mask and regulator, setting you back an additional $600. If you’re hiring a Sherpa, keep in mind that you’ll have to supply their oxygen.
Conclusion
Climbing Mount Everest costs a lot more than just money, and that’s only the beginning. If you’re serious about experiencing the majestic views from 29,032 feet, you may pay a high price in physical and emotional health. Workouts, breathing exercises, visualization methods, and lessons on dealing with negative self-talk have to be part of your Everest training.
