Welcome to Everest 2025. This post goes in-depth on your options and risks and provides an overview of the financial aspects of climbing Everest from either Nepal or Tibet. The season is still a few months away, and I’ll be posting several Everest 2025 big-picture updates before the season officially begins in early April:

• Everest by the Numbers: 2025 Edition – A deep dive into Everest statistics as compiled by the Himalayan Database
• Comparing the Routes of Everest: 2025 Edition – A detailed look at Everest’s routes, commercial, standard and non-standard.
• How Much Does it Cost to Climb Everest: 2025 Edition – My annual review of what it costs to climb Everest, solo, unsupported and guided.
• Everest 2025: Welcome to Everest 2025 Coverage – an introduction to the Everest 2025 Spring season.

2025 will be my 25^th season of all things Everest: 19 times providing coverage, another four seasons of climbing on Everest, and two years attempting Lhotse.

I summited Everest on May 21, 2011, and have climbed on it three other times (all from Nepal) – 2002, 2003, and 2008, each time reaching just below the Balcony around 27,500′ (8400 meters) before health, weather or my judgment caused me to turn back.

I attempted Lhotse in 2015 and 2016. When not climbing, I cover the Everest season from my home in Colorado as I did in  2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and now the 2025 season. In 2020, when both sides of the mountain were closed due to COVID, I did a virtual series, Virtual Everest 2020 – Support the Climbing Sherpas, to raise money for the out-of-work Sherpa community working with nine commercial guiding companies.

2025 is my tenth year to blog: “How much does it cost to climb Mount Everest?” This is my most plagiarized post, so please do not copy, rewrite, or otherwise distribute, but if you choose to steal my work, at least credit ©www.alanarnette.com.

Why This Coverage?

 I have one reason for this coverage: Alzheimer’s. I lost my mom, Ida, and four aunts to the disease, which has changed my life. Please read more at this link. I hope you find value in my coverage and consider donating to select non-profits or any organization you prefer. I receive no financial benefit from your donations. Click the button on the right sidebar to donate.

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Bottom Line

So, what does it cost to climb Mount Everest? As I’ve said for years, the short answer is a car. Most people pay between $40,000 and $60,000, and some will pay as much as $200,000! Operators now compete either on price or luxuries and technologies. Over the past ten years, companies with Western guides on the Nepal side have increased their median prices from $64,000 to $76,600 today, while Nepali guides have gone from $36,000 to $45,000 but heavily discounted by up to 25%. On the Tibet side, prices have exploded from $29,000 to $75,000.

Here’s a long and detailed look at Everest 2025. Please let me know if you see a mistake or want to add something.

Follow the 2025 Everest Coverage!

The Most Common Mistakes Climbers Make

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There is a lot of detail here, broken down by:

• Bottom Line
• Overview
• Big Picture
• Everest 2024 Review
• Everest 2025 Outlook
• Where Does My Money Go?
• Travel
• Permits and Insurance
• Supplies and Gear
• Logistics (Guide Services)
• Expedition Price Chart
• Guide Options
• Q&A
• Why Everest?
• Everest Pictures and Video

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Overview

Climbing Everest can be divided into pre- and post-commercialization, approximately before and after 1992. The pre-commercialization era was characterized by primarily national teams (Swiss, British, Italian, American, etc.) daring new routes with minimal outside support. Team climbers equally contributed to carrying gear and establishing high camps. Supplemental oxygen was limited by existing technology and rare but, when used, operated at a relatively low flow of two liters per minute compared to today’s four, six, and sometimes up to eight lpm. If one member summited, the entire team was deemed successful. Climbers didn’t boast about their achievements until they returned home; they had no selfies from the summit!

From 1992 to 2010, Western companies dominated early commercialization and relied heavily on Sherpas to assist clients with increasingly limited skills. It was common to have one Sherpa supporting two clients. Climbing evolved into a “siege style,” which involved setting up several camps between the base and summit, all supplied by Sherpas. Supplemental oxygen usage of two to four lpm became standard. Nonetheless, most Everest climbers possessed solid experience and felt at home on the mountain. 

However, climbing has changed dramatically since 2015. Nepali companies now dominate commercial expeditions, employing hundreds of Sherpas and others from various ethnic backgrounds to assist a diverse clientele, mainly from China and Southeast Asia. Traditional operators from Argentina, Austria, Germany, New Zealand, the U.K., the U.S. and elsewhere continue to perform well. Still, their teams have become noticeably smaller, accommodating only 10, 20, or sometimes up to 30 clients, compared to 50, 60, or even 100 with Nepali outfits. Supplemental oxygen usage of four to even eight liters per minute became standard, starting as low as Camp 2 on the Nepal side. It’s common to have two Sherpas for each client, and sometimes even more, depending on the amount of oxygen used. 

Today, we are witnessing a maturing and segment-focused industry on Everest. Nepali companies primarily compete with price and have many clients, while traditional foreign or Western operators add more services, luxuries and the latest technology each year, serving fewer clients. However, even those differences are beginning to narrow, so companies try to differentiate themselves with success and safety records, which are difficult to verify objectively.  Almost all companies utilize the best and worst of the Internet to market directly to often naive clients. 

If you want to climb Everest at the lowest possible cost, you will likely use a Nepal-based operator for reasons I’ll explain later. If you prefer the services of a Western, fully, not a subset, accredited IFMGA guide, you will likely choose a Western guide. While you may reach the summit with either model, your experience could differ, ranging from language and cultural differences to food and shelter, support during the climb, mountain guiding practices and risk-taking profiles.

If there is one statistic to summarize the difference, it would be that 23 of the 26 clients who died on Everest in 2023 and 2024 were with companies that charged less than the median price for the expedition. While it’s expected that guides with more clients might have more incidents, the death rates are disproportional for the most prominent operators compared to the smallest. In other words, the largest operators have the highest deaths per capita.

So, things have changed. Some call it progress as more people than ever enjoy the sport; others call it a disaster ruining the sport and the mountain. No matter your side, it will never go back to what it was, so let’s examine how much it costs to climb Everest in 2025.

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Big Picture -Higher Prices, More Summits!

The headline for 2025 is that prices continue to increase for all Western and some Nepali operators on the Nepal side and stay flat or slightly lower for most Tibetan-side operators. The increases are due to inflation, labor wage increases, higher pay for Sherpas with IFMGA certification, more Nepalese regulations around minimum salaries and insurance, and a strong client demand environment.

Remember that Nepal raised the permit fee per individual from $11,000 to $15,000. Most operators have passed on most of that increase in their list price.

Several companies now offer luxuries never imagined for mountain climbing. These add-ons come at a price, and the upper end can be as high as $200,000 and even $1 million. Often, they cater to wealthy individuals who have more money than time and seek to summit as quickly as possible and return to work. We will dive into this later.

So, do you have to be rich to climb Everest in 2025? With Nepal’s strong tourism business and high demand, Nepali companies will still deal but not as aggressively as in the prior years. You can get on a low-end, essential services-only trip for $30,000. As for dealing with foreign operators, don’t count on a significant discount. It’s customary to offer a little off if you pay a year in advance, but that’s about it. They fill their teams months in advance, so there’s little incentive to discount.

The following chart breaks down the current MEDIAN prices (midpoint for prices with half above and half below this price) by style and route. I’ll go into more detail later in this post; however, you can see how much the prices have increased on both sides for all styles. There are actual costs the foreign operators have operating in Nepal that the locals don’t have, thus the significant difference in the prices, but I’ll go into that later:

As for safety, people die on both sides. Most of the deaths these days are caused by inexperience and not having a guide who “manages” your climb. However, choosing a competent guide could save your life. 

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Everest 2024 Review

Everest 2024 might be remembered for summits, politics, deaths, ignored rules, near misses and disturbing allegations of sexual misconduct. Putting all this in a headline is challenging, but I believe the Everest guiding industry is at a Rubicon – a point of no return.

Not to be lost in this mix is the joy and satisfaction felt by hundreds of summiteers. They worked and trained diligently to celebrate standing on the top of the world for only a few minutes. It’s funny how you can work so long for a goal, and the moment is over in a blink, but the memory lasts a lifetime—well done to all who summited, to those who showed up.

Once again, the Sherpas proved they dominated the mountain with impressive altitude performance. The Himalayan Database shows that between 1950 and 2024, 6,593 Sherpas have summited Everest compared to 6,285 members, and that gap is growing each year. However, more foreigners have died than Sherpas, 203 compared to 129.

We may have heard the last chirps from Everest’s “canary in the coal mine.” Between the difficulty of getting the fixed ropes through the Icefall and the collapse of a cornice at the Hillary Step, climbing the reliable Southeast Ridge route could be at risk. The cause is most probably a warming environment.

Nepal’s winter was warmer and drier than any in the earlier decade. Temperatures climbed higher than the winter average, while precipitation was lower than average. Mountains, notably the Himalayas, are geologically unstable. These warm, dry conditions may have affected the Khumbu Icefall, creating challenges for the Icefall Doctors.

As for summits, the Himalayan Database reported in December 2024, based on numbers reported by the Nepal government, that from the Nepal side, 319 clients, supported by 468 Sherpas, summited, totaling 787 summits. This level of support came in at a 1:1.5 client-to-support ratio. Nepal issued 421 foreign permits, which makes for a 75% success rate compared to 58% for members in Nepal from 2000 to 2023, per the Himalayan Database. On the Tibet side, there were 74 summits.

All eight of the 2024 deaths were clients with Nepali operators. In 2023, fifteen of the eighteen deaths were with Nepal operators. In just two years, twenty-three people who have died were associated with Nepali mountain guide companies, 88% of the total for the two years, disproportionately higher than their market share.

Continue reading about Everest 2024

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Everest 2025 Outlook

I expect 2025 to be a big year for Everest-Nepal and the full re-opening of the Tibet side to foreigners.

I suspect 2025 will be another busy year. First, there is the insatiable lure of Everest, and, as has been the standard since 2013, droves of inexperienced climbers are drawn by “no experience required” low-cost operators. However, 2025 will be different, with the north side fully open to foreigners after opening late in 2024, causing many climbers to shift back to Nepal. The 300 permit limit may be reached this year for the first time.

Nepal’s record-breaking year included 787 summits (319 clients supported by 468 Sherpas). Nepal’s raising the permit price by 36% from $11,000 to $15,000 will have an impact, but I don’t think it will be significant.

I expect nearly 1,000 total summits from both sides this spring. Look for at least 200-300 Tibet-side total (members plus hired) summits and 700-800 on the Nepal side. 

As for deaths, sadly, the recent trend of inexperienced climbers using low-cost guides will continue, as the lessons of the past two years seem to have changed nothing. Yes, the Nepal Supreme Court issued many recycled rules intended to improve safety, but historically, all rules of this type have had minimal impact. Expect over ten deaths on the Nepal side and at least three in Tibet.

Who’s Climbing

In keeping with the pre-pandemic years, look for more climbers from China, India and Southeast Asia than ever. As I’ve detailed, China requires all Chinese Nationals to climb an 8000-meter peak before climbing Everest from China; thus, many go to Nepal, where there are no experience requirements. As for the Indian climbers, it’s folklore that if you summit Everest, you can leverage that into fame and fortune – a considerable miscalculation by many. However, many Nepali/Indian guide companies meet this market demand, create profitable businesses, run training programs for the under-20 crowd, and then take them to Everest. Unfortunately, this approach is a deadly gamble that may backfire one day.

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Where Does My Money Go?

There are four major components to any Everest climb, regardless of whether you are climbing from Nepal or Tibet:

• Travel
• Permits/Insurance
• Supplies/Gear
• Guides

For 2025, there will be no significant changes to this cost structure. The following discussion breaks down the expenses as if an individual wanted to climb without joining a team, but almost no one does this, as the numbers will show – it is just too expensive or risky.

I know a few individuals climbed on the cheap in years past, but few in the last five years. I usually get a reply to this article saying, “Alan, you’re crazy. I climbed Everest and only spent $5,000.” Congratulations if that’s true, but chances are it was in the last century, was illegal (no permit), or on the North before China raised their prices and put in team size minimums. If someone can tell me how to climb that inexpensively in 2023, contact me with the details.

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1. Travel $500 – $10,125

Travel costs depend entirely on where you live and how you like to travel. Flights to Nepal from the United States can cost a few hundred dollars to over $7,000 in Business Class. Many people use Thai, Turkish, Qatar, Air India, or China Eastern to reach Nepal.

Once in Kathmandu, you will fly to Lukla, Namche, or Lhasa to start the journey to base camp, so add a few hundred dollars for this airfare. But, of course, you can take a bus to Jiri and trek five days to Luka and then on to EBC to save a little money.

From Lukla, it takes a little over a week to trek to base camp and acclimate, so add food and lodging for you and your support team. The trek costs can range between $400 to $1,000 per person. But, depending on your travel style and how many beers you buy, you can save money. Remember that everything becomes more expensive the closer you get to Base Camp, so buy batteries, toilet paper, etc., in Kathmandu, Lukla, Namche, or, better, at home.

Teahouses have dramatically increased their prices in Khumbu. You can still find the $7 per night teahouse, but expect to pay $5-10 for each meal. Climbers can always camp in tents and cook their meals to save money, but if you camp and eat in the teahouse, expect to pay four times the price if you don’t sleep in the teahouse; they make their profit from selling meals.

You must get yourself and all your gear – tents, food, oxygen, etc., to base camp. Most people use porters and yaks, which cost at least $20 per day per load but are usually higher, usually totaling over a thousand dollars. Large operators will hire helicopters and bundle the expense with the overall price. On the Tibet side, your climbing permit includes all transportation–a 4WD driven by an employee of the China Mountaineering Association (CMA). In addition, the CMA will meet you where you arrive in China and never leave you during the entire expedition except when you climb above base camp.

Travel $2,525 – $8,425

• Airfare is $1500 to $7000, depending on class, routing, and excess baggage.
• Transportation from Kathmandu to Lukla is $400 round trip per person
• Hotel and food in Kathmandu are $300 to $700 depending on delays and quality level
• Nepal Visa $125 (90 days)
• Immunizations $200

Getting to EBC $1,240 – $1,800

• Yaks to and from Base Camp $40 per yak per day carrying 120 lbs (4 yaks for four days minimum or $640)
• Extra Yak in China is $300/Yak
• Porters to and from Base Camp: $20 per porter per day carrying 60 lbs (3 porters for six days minimum or $360)
• Tea Houses and food on the trek to EBC $20 – $100/person/day – 7 days $140 – $700
• Park Fee $100/team

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2. Permits and Insurance $9,950 – $29,500

Nepal

Nepal increased the Everest individual climbing permit from $11,000 to $15,000 starting in 2025.  The permit simply allows a climber to climb. In Argentina for Aconcagua or Alaska for Denali, the $800 or $1,100 permit helps fund high-altitude ranger camps, hire seasonal staff, provide mountaineering information, and keep the mountain environment clean. When you climb on Denali, the permit includes helicopter evacuation for life or limb emergencies but not for low-level sickness.

Nepal requires a local company to organize your permit, which costs $3,500 for the team, a refundable trash deposit of $5,000 per permit, and a Liaison Officer costing $5,000 per team. These total $13,500 BEFORE the $15,000 per person climbing permit. So, before you hire guides, yaks, food, or gear, you must come up with almost $29,000 to climb from Nepal.

In 2013, Nepal implemented a new rule that requires every foreign climber to hire a local Sherpa Guide. It is still there for the 2025 season, but this policy is unevenly enforced, if at all. While it is very unclear how or if this rule is enforced for every operator, it would add a minimum of $5,000 to the absolute lowest cost. In 2017, one person who climbed without a permit was caught, deported, and banned from climbing in Nepal for five years by the Nepal authorities. Both sides are cracking down on unauthorized climbing, so beware.

Most guide companies on the Nepal side require at least evacuation insurance and medical coverage. One of the best investments you can make is adding trip cancellation to the policy, though it can be costly. In 2014 and 2015, when the Everest season ended early, those with trip cancellation/interruption coverage received 100% reimbursement for their trip expenses, with some claims reaching as high as $45,000.

Several companies provide coverage for medical evacuations from the injury site to a local or home medical facility. Some also cover trip cancellations, while others offer medical insurance. These policies have become quite costly in 2025, so it’s wise to shop around. Many operators negotiate discounts with these companies if you access their website through your guide’s site or by calling them. Travelex, Global Rescue, Redpoint Ripcord Rescue Travel Protection, AIG Travel Guard, and International Medical Group’s TravelLX are all excellent options.

To save money, joining the American Alpine Club will provide $7,500 in evacuation coverage to a local hospital and, optionally, up to $300,000 to get you back home. These are bargains at $65/year and $250/year, respectively. Most people upgrade that basic coverage for a few hundred dollars. 

To be covered by all these policies, you must follow their rules strictly, and I mean precisely. If you make one misstep, the policy will not cover your expenses. Again, exactly. Also, most do not cover searches if you get lost, and those who offer coverage have low limits.

Tibet

An Everest climbing permit from the Chinese (Northside) is between $15,800 and 18,000 per person for a team permit of 4 or more. This price includes transportation from the entry point in China (usually Lhasa or Zhangmu–Kodari) to base camp, hotels, liaison officer, trash fee, five yaks in, and four yaks out per member. In addition, there is an extra charge of $200 per day per person for time spent in Lhasa. If you want to bring a Nepali Sherpa to climb with you in Tibet, budget an additional $4,500 for each Sherpa’s “work permit,” as required by the CTMA, plus a salary of $5,000.

The Tibet side is more complicated for evacuation insurance since a centralized team performs all on-mountain rescues. The rescued climber is responsible for an unspecified and unlimited fee. Helicopters are not allowed but are rumored to begin in the next few years, maybe by 2026. When climbing in China, it would be wise to double-check everything with your provider and evacuation coverage company to understand the details.

Climbing Fees $24,600 – $29,650 (Nepal)

• The Nepal Agency fee is $2,500 per team (usually included in the total price from a guide)
• Nepalese Liaison Officer $5,000/team (usually included in the total price from a guide)
• South Base Camp Medical support from EverestER $100/person
• Nepal permits $15,000 for each climber, regardless of team size
• Chinese permit is between $15,800 and 18,000 per person for teams of 4 or more. $4,500 for each Nepali Sherpa
• Nepal garbage and human waste deposit $4,000/team permit (refundable but not always)
• Tibet garbage and human waste deposit $4,000/team permit (refundable but not always)
• Icefall Doctors to fix route $2,500/team or $600 per climber
• Contribution to fixed ropes above Icefall $200/climber, higher on the Tibet side
• Weather forecast $0 to $1,000
• Puja $300

Insurance $70 – $3,000

• Evacuation Insurance $70 (American Alpine Club) – ~$500 (Global Rescue/Travelex)
• Medical only $500
• Rescue Insurance for any reason with medical insurance and trip cancellation coverage – $3,000 to $15,000 (Travelex)
• Private pay helicopter evacuation from Everest South – $5,000 – $20,000 depending on start and end locations (not available in Tibet)
• All insurance figures are representative and will vary widely with age, length of trip, and total cost.

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3. Supplies/Gear $ 5,000 – $30,000

You must eat and stay warm, and 98% of all Everest summiteers use supplemental oxygen. You can cook your food, but most people use a cook and helpers, costing $5,000 for base camp and budgeting about $800 per person for food and fuel while climbing Everest over six weeks.

Supplemental oxygen costs about $600 per bottle, with a minimum of five bottles totaling $3,000. You will also need a mask, which costs $500, and a regulator, which costs another $500. You can carry your extra oxygen to the high camps, but most people use the Sherpas to cache it there. When hiring a personal Sherpa, the standard is for him to climb on oxygen, albeit at a lower flow rate, which will cost an additional $4,000 to $10,000.

Finally, you will need climbing gear, including 8000-meter boots, a down suit, clothing layers, gloves, sleeping bags, packs, and more. If you buy everything new at the list price, these items will cost at least $19,000. High-altitude boots from La Sportiva or Millet run $1,200, a full-down suit from Feathered Friends or Mountain Hardwear is over $2,000, and a sleeping bag rated to -20F costs at least $1,000.

You can often find lightly used climbing gear on eBay or less expensive gear in Kathmandu. I recommend buying boots at home so you can get the correct size. Remember that your feet will swell by at least a full size at high altitudes, so buy your boots and try them on at home with your climbing socks to test the fit before leaving for the climb.

Misc $14,450 – $23,000

• Full Medical kit $1,000 – $1,500 – add $2,800 for Gamow Bag
• Sherpas, cooks tips and a bonus of $450 – $4,000++ per individual depending on performance and summit
• Personal Gear (down suit, high altitude boots, sleeping bags, etc.): $9,000
• Satellite phone (own) $1,000 to $3,000 depending on usage
• Gear allowance for Sherpas $3,000

EBC and High Camps $3,800 – $8,800

• Tents $3,000 new (sleeping, cooking, toilet, storage at four camps for three people)
• Cooks $5,000 per cook and assistant for six weeks
• Food and fuel are $800 per person for six weeks

Climbing Support $4,000 – 15,000

• Oxygen $600/bottle (5 bottles) $3,000 (doesn’t include costs to take to high camps)
• Oxygen Mask (Summit Oxygen) $500
• Oxygen Regulator $500
• Climbing Sherpa $5,000 – $9,000 per Personal Sherpa with oxygen at $3,000

Follow the 2025 Everest Coverage!

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4. Logistics (guide) $30,000 – $85,000

Seeing all the previous costs broken out can be overwhelming. But don’t despair; you can join a fully supported or guided team that manages everything.

For decades, western operators like Adventure Consultants, Alpine Ascents (AAI), Jagged Globe, International Mountain Guides (IMG), and a new generation like Climbing the Seven Summits, Furtenbach, and Madison Mountaineering have guided hundreds to the top of Everest for all-inclusive prices ranging from $49,000 to $115,000.

But that is changing. Over the last decade, there has been intense competition from Nepali-owned and operated companies. With over 100 Sherpas having ten or more Everest summits, they advertise as Everest Guides and eliminate the traditional Western Guide, who earns between $15,000 and $25,000 for the season. This cost-saving strategy is passed on to the clients. In 2025, lead Sherpas will earn salaries similar to Western Guides, so the price gap is narrowing, but the Nepali companies are still less expensive, as we will discuss.

Some, but not all, Nepali operators are well-known for underpaying their staff. Thus, they charge half to a third of traditional Western operators for a Nepal Everest expedition. In 2024, some Nepali operators offered Everest expeditions for as low as $30,000 per climber. One common trend is that almost all Nepali guides will privately negotiate and discount, while most foreign operators will not.

Many of the lead Sherpas now have a subset (no ski qualification, for example) of the IFMGA certification with more summits than many Western guides. This certification allows the Sherpas to earn up to $10,000 for the Everest season compared to $4-5,000 previously. This trend will drive up the cost of the Nepali companies over time as more and more Sherpas become certified. One Nepali operator charges an additional $10,000 if you want to climb with an IFMGA-certified Sherpa guide.

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2025 Expedition Price Chart

With all this background, I compiled the 2025 Everest fees from the major Everest guide companies. Prices usually include full logistics support, gear, food, a Personal Sherpa, oxygen, mask, and regulator. 

The chart below uses publicly available information from various guide websites. Inclusion does not imply endorsement, and the lists are not exhaustive. For instance, I have not included small, one-person private guiding companies. Additionally, the prices shown reflect their only offering or the base price. The final price may be significantly higher due to add-ons such as IFMGA guides, extra oxygen, fast climbs, etc.

Unlike most foreign operators, many Nepali companies no longer list their prices, claiming there are too many options and needing to speak directly with potential clients. For comparison purposes, I used previously known prices and estimated them for 2025. I can’t promise accuracy, so please contact the guide for pricing.

*All prices in USD converted at press time, subject to change.

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Who Guides on Everest?

There are no enforced requirements to call yourself a guide in Nepal. The Nepal Ministry of Tourism calls every Sherpa a ‘Sherpa Guide’ regardless of training or experience. However, this is slowly changing as more Sherpas attend basic climbing and first aid courses at the Khumbu Climbing Center.

There are three options for supported climbs: Sherpa-supported, Sherpa-guided, and Fully Guided commercial expeditions. I have changed from using “Foreign Guide” to”Fully Guided” as several of the Nepali guides are doing an excellent job, so the term “fully” is more inclusive—all leverage group costs, such as deposits, cooks, and tents, across multiple climbers.

All teams on both sides use the same ladders and ropes installed by dedicated Sherpas, Tibetans or a joint effort by commercial teams. Some outfits will market that their price includes ladders and ropes, but it’s not a difference when everyone has access to them at the same prices.

When comparing prices, remember that foreign guide companies must purchase a $15,000 climbing permit for each team member, including guides. In contrast, Nepali citizens pay only $560 for a climbing permit, saving thousands of dollars in total expedition costs. These savings are transferred to clients, allowing Nepali operators to provide lower expedition prices.

One final thought: I believe all these models can safely guide a suitably experienced client to the summit of Everest and back home; however, your experience and style might vary significantly. I always suggest obtaining references from someone similar to you in terms of climbing experience, age, and budget. I routinely recommend these models to my Summit Coach clients.

Let’s look at them:

Sherpa Supported Expedition

Please note that this is Sherpa-supported, not guided, and what most Nepali-owned companies offer, even though they call each Sherpa a “guide.”

You can climb on a Sherpa-supported expedition for between $30,000 to $45,000. The company organizes all the logistics: permits, food, group gear, transportation, plus Sherpa support, but does not provide Western guides. Sometimes, there will not be a lead Sherpa guide or a Personal Sherpa who will climb with you throughout the expedition but will only be with you for the summit push. 

The Sherpas may or may not speak English well, and some will likely follow your lead to push forward or turn back. You are fully responsible for your safety and well-being. I’ve had high-profile owners of Sherpa companies tell me, “It’s not our job to turn a client back.” This is a risk you and your family need to understand and accept fully.

You must exercise extreme caution when choosing among these companies, as some are outstanding while others fall short. A Sherpa will accompany you on summit night. Still, you might find yourself partnered with random teammates during the rest of the acclimatization climbing process, including meal preparation at the high camps. It is common to end up climbing solo or only with one Sherpa. While the Sherpas may have trained at a climbing school like the Khumbu Climbing Center (KCC), they might lack adequate medical training and usually provide limited assistance in a health crisis, primarily helping you descend, which can be critical and often life-saving.

Asian Trekking specializes in this style of climb and is outstanding. 8K Expeditions, Thamserku, Pioneer and Seven Summits Treks are good options at a lower cost. Many small one-person Nepali companies offer even lower prices. Look to pay between $30,000 and $45,000 for this option. This option suits climbers with significant high-altitude experience, including other 8000-meter peaks like Cho Oyu or Manaslu. It is not for the novice or first-timer on an 8000-meter peak.

Sherpa Guided Expedition

Please note this is Sherpa-guided and not supported.

The International Mountain Guide’s (IMG) Classic Everest climb is a nice example of a Sherpa-guided expedition featuring an experienced Sherpa lead climber throughout the entire route. IMG charges $54,000 for this service. Climbing The Seven Summits offers a similar program for $55,000. Local Nepali operators such as 8K Peaks, Expedition Himalaya, Imagine Nepal, and Dreamers Destination are worthy options. Typically, this model relies on a highly experienced senior Sherpa, or Sidar, to make significant decisions, such as when to attempt the summit or turn back. Additionally, a Westerner or a very experienced Sherpa often oversees the expedition from Base Camp.

Hiring a Personal Sherpa for an additional $5,000 to $10,000, plus 5% to 20% for tips and bonuses, is an option. These Sherpas have acquired substantial experience and training in personal interactions with Western members. Their English skills are generally excellent but similar to a Sherpa-supported climb; they may lack formal medical training but possess extensive real-world experience, ensuring you will never climb alone.

While they won’t carry all your gear, they may occasionally take some items off your hands. They will be with you exclusively on your summit night, even if you choose to turn around before reaching the summit. This style suits climbers with experience at the 7,000-meter level (e.g., Denali, Aconcagua) and strong climbing skills, but it is not appropriate for novices. I utilized this model with IMG and Kami Sherpa in 2011 for my summit and was very pleased.

Fully Guided

Please note this usually implies Western Guide leading the climb.

Fully guided expeditions are considered ‘full service’ trips and are most suitable for climbers with 7000-meter experience (e.g., Denali, Aconcagua), first-time Everest climbers, or anyone seeking additional support. The cost varies widely, typically from $65K to over $125K. This fee includes all the services of a Sherpa-guided climb and sharing one or more extremely experienced Sherpa and/or Western guides, who usually hold IFMGA certification. If you’re looking for a personal Western or high-profile Sherpa guide, expect to pay $120K or more, plus tips and bonuses, potentially totaling around $175K. Some guides even command several hundred thousand dollars.

The main benefit of this approach is that you will be climbing with a highly qualified guide who has likely summited Everest and other 8000-meter peaks numerous times. Typically, there are no language barriers, and many guides will have at least Wilderness Medical Training (WMT) or higher qualifications. The guide will handle all decisions related to turnaround times, weather conditions, and emergency management.

You can anticipate high-quality food on these premium expeditions, ranging from well-prepared meals to exotic dishes. For example, one operator offers sushi while another features a 5-star chef. Additional amenities often include espresso machines and open bars—the possibilities are endless, all at a price. The most expensive guiding companies (Adventure Consultants, AAI, Alpenglow, Furtenbach, CTSS, Madison, etc.) always provide multiple highly qualified guides, ensuring you never climb alone.

Top, Top End

Seven Summits Treks caters to the Chinese market and offers a “VIP Everest Expedition.” They no longer list prices on their website, but the last time they did, it was $130,000, probably at least $200,00 now. It includes:

• • Training: Ice wall and Ladder training at Basecamp by UIAGM Guide
  • Base Camp: Personal the North Face / Kailas Tent for Members, Private Kitchen tent, Private Dining Tent, One Communications Tent, Private Shower tent, Private toilet tent, and Kitchen Utensils. Also, there is a private camp at each high camp
  • High Camps: High Altitude Tent, Necessary cooking EPI gas, cooking pot for a member, High food for a member, Sherpa, all climbing and cooking crew at (C1) (C2) (C3) (C4). All climbing gears, fixed and dynamic rope during the climbing period, as required
  • Helicopter Service: All Helicopter flights are as per the Itinerary. From Kathmandu to Namche, Namche to Dingboche, during the expedition, and after the expedition from Everest BC to Kathmandu, Helicopter flight from Everest base camp – Kathmandu – Everest Base camp via Namche (1 time)
  • One UIAGM-certified Guide
  • 4 Experienced Climbing Sherpa
  • Fifteen bottles of supplementary Oxygen (02) cylinder
  • 24 hr Personal mountain medical doctor for any injuries during the expedition
  • Rescue Team of Sherpa at Camp 2, for emergency and rescue purposes
  • Unlimited Internet
  • Additional Lobuche Peak Climbing Package inclusive
  • Full support (including throughout the pre-expedition preparation phase)
  • One Personal Photographer during the trip
  • RELAXATION TENT: Personal relaxation tent at Basecamp for members, a serene space where individuals can engage in yoga, meditation, head and foot massage, reading, and other calming activities.

Another top-end option is from Austrian-based Furtenbach Adventures with their Signature Everest Expeditions. For $203,200, you add to their high-service standard trips:

• • All services of our Everest Flash™ Expedition North or Everest Flash™ Expedition South i.e. a minimized expedition duration of just 3 weeks through pre-acclimatization, as well as the following private services:
  • Full support (including throughout the pre-expedition preparation phase)
  • Private mentoring from Lukas Furtenbach
  • Personalized training plan put together by a professional Sports Physiologist
  • Personalized consultation with a certified High-Performance Sports Dietician
  • Pre-expedition medical consultation by a High-Altitude Doctor
  • Private IFMGA / AMGA mountain guide for the duration of the whole expedition
  • 2 personal Climbing Sherpas with a minimum of 5 Everest ascents to their name
  • Premium accommodation in Kathmandu/Chengdu and Lhasa
  • 30 m² heated dome tent with private bathroom in basecamp
  • VIP transfers
  • Unlimited supplemental oxygen
  • Unlimited medical advice from the team doctor
  • Video footage and photographs of your expedition

Climbing the Seven Summits’ high-end trip option, “8848- The Residence, ” is not to be missed. An unspecified additional fee is charged on top of the standard fees, which range from $50,000 to $120,000.

• • • Private WC & hot shower 
    • Heating*
    • A 4 poster bed with comforter & pillows
    • CTSS unichill onesie PJs
    • Personal charging facilities, overhead lighting*
    • Table and chair to create a private workspace that allows professionals and business executives to productively use valuable downtime at base camp to continue to manage work obligations or to simply keep up with friends and family and update social media.
    • A chest of drawers and clothes rack
    • Raised, carpeted flooring to insulate from the glacier
    • Personal humidifier
    • Morning beverage service
    • Shoe rack
    • Single rooming throughout the expedition in Kathmandu & teahouses

Almost every foreign guide company offers multiple options today, from Sherpa-guided/supported to Western-guided to private climbs. Also, most companies now offer climbs to Camp 2 or the North Col, not to the summit. Some supply oxygen and each climber has a person Sherpa, even starting from base camp.

Speed Climbs

Some foreign guides and a few Nepali guides offer fast climbs, which last two to four weeks instead of the traditional six to eight weeks. This is an increasingly popular option. However, a new twist promises to reduce this to just one week, from home to home.

The primary market consists of individuals who can spend over $100,000 but cannot be away from work for more than a month. Tahoe-based Alpenglow Expeditions and Furtenbach Adventures have been the most aggressive in this model.

The rationale is that by reducing the expedition time, you conserve energy and reduce the risk of illness by minimizing your time on the mountain. Using a hypoxic altitude tent 30 to 60 days before leaving home, you can arrive at base camp acclimatized to at least 17,000 feet and even up to 23,000 feet. This way, you can eliminate one or all acclimatization rotations and enhance your chances of summiting. Naturally, you can hurry back home and return to work as quickly as possible.

The package typically includes pre-acclimatization in a hypoxic altitude tent a month or two before departure, an IFMGA guide, virtually unlimited oxygen flowing at up to 8 liters per minute in some cases, and ample Sherpa support. This additional support raises the cost to $100,000 or more.

Xenon Climbs

There is a new twist on this from the Austrian operator, Lukas Furtenbach, owner of Furtenbach Adventures.

The Financial Times reported on January 10, 2025, that the operator would have four British clients inhale a xenon gas blend for half an hour upon arrival in Kathmandu. Then, they would fly to EBC, meet their Sherpas and leave for the summit within two hours. The plan is for a three-day ascent and another day to descend. There would be no acclimatization rotations. If all goes well, they could return home in about two days, making the entire trip last a week.

According to Dr. Michael Fries, an anesthetist at a hospital in Limburg an der Lahn, Germany, who was involved in the expedition design and interviewed by FT, xenon, used as an anesthetic, “…has a separate effect at lower doses: boosting EPO production.” Erythropoietin (EPO) is produced in the kidneys and increases when the body is exposed to high altitudes, a normal part of natural acclimatization.

The FT article notes on xenon: “The hormone, a synthetic version of which is banned in sport, boosts the production of red blood cells, increasing the body’s capacity to transport oxygen.” Concerning doping rules, Furtenbach told FT, “It’s not an organised sport, so there’s technically no doping in mountaineering.”

Furtenbach said he tried the gas on Aconcagua and,”‘OK, this really works.’ I was totally convinced.”

Furtenbach charges €150,000 ($153,720) for the seven-day expedition. Download the Financial Times app to read the entire article.

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Q&A

Let’s look deeper at a few questions.

Am I required to take the standard routes?

No. You can get a permit to climb any of the 20 named routes on Everest or make up your own. If you want to traverse Nepal to Tibet or the other way, you will need to get permits from both countries; however, China has refused to issue permission from their side for many years. In 2017, a climber illegally made the traverse and was deported and banned for five years. He claimed it was a medical emergency.

Can I Climb Everest Alone?

Officially no. The Nepal Ministry of Tourism requires every climber to hire a Sherpa guide. The CMA has a similar requirement. But like everything around Everest, there are exceptions, and most rules are never enforced. In my opinion, the only actual solo ascent of Everest was by Reinhold Messner on the Tibet side in 1980, but even he had a base camp cook.

Climbing Everest alone on the standard route is almost impossible because of the crowds, especially in spring. Perhaps a quiet climb in summer or winter, as Jost Kobusch did in January 2025, would work; however, the Sherpa requirement is theoretically still in place.

What is the minimum I can spend to climb Everest?

You can climb independently without oxygen, Sherpa (ignoring the requirement to hire a Sherpa illegally), or cook support, only paying for ropes on the south side to save money. Avoiding using the ladders in the Khumbu Icefall would be almost impossible, but you could climb to the Western Cwm on Nuptse’s lower slopes and bypass the Icefall. 

For one person, this would cost at least $31,000 from Nepal. See “Permits and Insurance” above in this piece. With the minimum rules on the Tibet side, it would be challenging to climb alone. Even splitting group expenses, the base costs add up to $26,000 each for a seven-person team. When you add oxygen and base camp support, a one-person climb with Sherpa support approaches $45,000, and a seven-person team leveraging the group costs comes in at $37,000.

Old-timers will brag about climbing Everest in the early 2000s or before for $5,000. Even then, this price assumed no support, oxygen, contribution to the fixed ropes or ladders, weather forecasting, etc. This post takes most people who want to climb relatively comfortably and not eat rice every meal for six weeks.

What is the difference between a $30K and a $75K Everest Climb?

Some companies offer fundamentally different offerings, and others provide little, so it’s up to the climber to shop wisely.

The general rule is that the lower the price, the larger the team. A high-volume team may have 50 clients at $30,000 each compared to a small team with 10 clients at $75,000 each. In other words, $1.5M vs. $750,000 – it’s all about the business model, similar to airlines.

At the high end, it is often profit, overhead, and the number of Western or highly qualified IFMGA guides. Also, how many services are bundled into one price versus offered as options? The lowest price outfits promote a low price and offer “options” such as oxygen, Sherpa support, or even food above base camp. One UK-based outfitter provides a low price for the north side but does not include oxygen, summit bonuses, or other options that almost everyone has at their base price.

Another common practice to keep expedition costs low is to pay support staff the absolute minimum, whereas fully guided expeditions usually pay a livable wage for their entire team. But often, it is the availability of resources:

• • Extra Sherpas
  • Backup supplies (ropes, tents, oxygen bottles, etc.)
  • Medical facilities
  • Communications and profit
  • Overhead for the operator

One well-known low-cost operator had their tents destroyed one year. They had no backup and had to beg other operators for spares. They also ran out of food.

An example of price confusion is Sherpa’s bonuses. A low-price service may not include a bonus, whereas another may. For instance, one Nepali company asks the climber to pay $1,500 to their Sherpa if they reach the South Col and another $500 if they leave for the summit. The tips are in addition to the base price. However, a different company includes these bonuses in its overall package. Tipping your Sherpa and Western guide an additional amount is customary in both cases. The amount is always debatable, but 10% is considered the minimum.

How many people have summited Everest?

Statistics Updated through January 2025

The Himalayan Database reports that 7,269 different climbers have accomplished 12,884 summits of Everest across all routes. Among those climbers, 1,670 members and 2,003 Sherpas have reached the summit multiple times, accounting for a total of 4,620 summits. Women members have achieved 962 summits.

Summits
The Nepal side is more popular, with 9,156 summits compared to 3,728 summits from the Tibet side. Only 229 climbers summited without supplemental oxygen, about 1.7%. Only 35 climbers have traversed from one side to the other. Member summit success stands at 39%, with 5,899 who attempted to summit, making it out of 14,496 who tried. About 66% of all expeditions put at least one member on the summit.

Kami Rita Sherpa (Thami) holds the record for most summits at 31, with Paswang Dawa (PA Dawa) Sherpa of Pangboche close behind with 27 summits. Brit Kenton Cool has 18 for a non-Sherpa record. Eleven Sherpas have 20 or more summits. One hundred and one Sherpas have summited Everest 10 or more times. Member climbers from the USA have the most country member summits at 1,078, followed by China at 683, India at 605, and the UK at 560.

How Safe is Everest?

As for Everest deaths, 335 people (203 Westerners and 129 Sherpas) died from 1922 to December 2024. These deaths account for about 2.7% of those who summited, resulting in a death rate of 1.11% among those who attempted to reach the summit. Westerners die at a higher rate of 1.36%, compared to Sherpas at 0.84%. Descending from the summit is deadly, with 74 deaths, or 22% of the total fatalities. Female climbers have a lower death rate of 0.81% compared to 1.14% for male climbers, and 14 women have died on Everest. Everest.

The Nepalese side has seen 9,156 summits with 225 deaths through December 2024, or 2.5%, representing a rate of 1.12%. One hundred thirty deaths, or 27%, did not use oxygen. The Tibet side has witnessed 3,728 summits with 98 deaths through December 2024, or 2.6%, a rate of 0.98%. Thirty-eight individuals died without using oxygen. Countries with the most deaths among climbers include India at 28, the UK (19), Japan (19), the US (17), and China (12), with South Korea at 11. Nepal has the absolute highest number of deaths at 135, dominated by Sherpas. Most bodies remain on the mountain, but China has removed many from view on its side. The top causes of death are avalanches (77), falls (75), altitude sickness (45), and exposure (26).

Everest is becoming safer even though more people are now climbing. From 1923 to 1999, 170 people died on Everest with 1,170 summits, or 14.5%. But the deaths drastically declined from 2000 to 2024, with 11,714 summits and 165 deaths, or 1.4%. However, four years skewed the death rates, with 17 in 2014, 14 in 2015, 11 in 2019, and a record 18 in 2023. The reduction in deaths is primarily due to significantly higher Sherpa support ratios, improved supplemental oxygen at higher flow rates (up to 8 lpm), better gear, accurate weather forecasting, and more people climbing with commercial operations.

Of the 8,000-meter peaks, Everest has the highest absolute number of deaths (member and hired) at 335 but ranks near the bottom with a death rate of 1.11. Annapurna is the most deadly 8,000er, with one death for about every fifteen summits (73:514) or a 3.30 death rate.  Cho Oyu is the safest, with 4,158 summits and 52 deaths, or a death rate of 0.54, with  Lhotse next at 0.61. Of note, 81 Everest member climbers out of 206 member deaths died descending from the summit, or 39%. K2’s death rate has fallen dramatically from the historic 1:4 to around 1:8, primarily due to more commercial expeditions with large Sherpa support ratios.

Latest: Spring 2024
In 2024, 787 summits were made, including 74 from Tibet. All but 5 used supplemental oxygen. Eight Everest climbers died. 68% of all attempts by members were successful. Of the total, 73 females summited.

Which side should I climb, north or south?

Both sides offer plenty: the Mallory and Irvine mystery of 1924 in Tibet and Nepal, as well as Hillary and Norgay’s first summit in 1953.

The comparison between sides is pretty simple. The north is colder, windier, and dustier; some feel technically harder since you climb on more exposed rock.

The south has the Khumbu Icefall, which some now fear. However, I believe the facts don’t support the fear. Through spring 2024, out of the 335 total deaths on the Nepal side, 46 occurred in the Icefall. By the way, virtually all of these deaths were Sherpas ferrying loads to camps in the Cwn and above:

• • 22 – Avalanche (most from Everest West Shoulder from the hanging seracs)
  • 18 – Icefall Collapse (Similar to what we saw in spring 2023, taking three Sherpas)
  •   5  – Fall/Crevase
  •   1 – AMS

So, while these deaths, especially when occurring in large numbers like in 2014 and 2023, attract media attention, the real story involves inexperienced clients with unqualified guides taking unnecessary risks concerning weather, climbing conditions (fresh snowfall- avalanches), and insufficient supplemental oxygen for a “normal” person, and failing to turn back when they encounter trouble. All of these are avoidable.

Since 1953, there have been 12,884 summits of Everest through January 2025, across all routes, by 7,269 different individuals. Climbing from Nepal is the most popular side and has a higher total of deaths and death rate, with 9,156 summits and 225 deaths, or 2.5%, resulting in a fatality rate of 1.12. Of these, 130 deaths, or 27%, did not involve the use of oxygen. The Tibet side has experienced 3,728 summits with 98 deaths through December 2024, translating to a death rate of 2.6%, with a fatality rate of 0.98. Thirty-eight individuals died without oxygen usage.

When choosing sides, remember that as of 2025, China does not allow helicopter rescues. However, that might change as they build a massive mountaineering center at the base camp to cater to tourists. They have said they will start helicopter rescues as part of the center. This has been rumored for years and will begin as soon as 2026.

One can cherry-pick the numbers to prove nearly any point about which side is safer. The death rate in Nepal is 1.12, while in Tibet it is 0.98. Ultimately, death occurs on both sides of Everest, and it often comes down to being in the wrong place at the wrong time. 

Should I Use Supplemental Oxygen?

Summiting Everest without supplemental oxygen is rare; only 229 people have achieved this feat. A closer examination of the data reveals that out of 335 deaths, 178 occurred without the use of oxygen. However, this can be somewhat misleading; 105 of those who died were involved in route preparation, primarily carried out by Sherpas. Most likely did not use oxygen since they were positioned lower on the mountain. For instance, during the 2014 ice serac release and the 2015 earthquake, which claimed 31 lives, the victims were located below Camp 1 and were not using oxygen.

When examining climbing in modern times, from 2000 to 2024, we can see that 96 members (excluding Sherpas) reached the summit without supplemental oxygen, including 32 who died, representing a 33% mortality rate. In comparison, 5,401 members summited with oxygen, including 73 who who died, amounting to a 1.35% mortality rate. In other words, you’re 24 times more likely to die if you don’t use supplemental oxygen.

Supplemental oxygen provides the body with a 3,000-foot (some studies show different amounts) advantage. In other words, when a climber is at 28,000 feet, their body feels like it’s at 25,000 feet. The main benefit of supplemental oxygen is that it helps you feel warmer, allowing the heart to pump blood and oxygen to your fingers and toes, which reduces the risk of frostbite.

While climbing without Os is a serious accomplishment, it is not for everyone. Many try, and few succeed.

How Do I Pay for an Everest Climb?

Acquiring money is almost always more challenging than climbing Everest. People get very creative when seeking funds. Some take out loans and refinance their home mortgages; others rely on the infamous “rich uncle.” Then, some set up a website to sell T-shirts or solicit “donations” from strangers. Believe it or not, this can help raise some funds, but rarely enough to cover all the expenses.

However, the most common way to finance an Everest climb is to prioritize it in your budget by setting money aside each month for as long as necessary. This strategy has financed 26 of my significant climbs since I started at age 38.

The question of securing a sponsor often arises. Unfortunately, being backed by a major outdoor gear company or a similar entity is extremely difficult. People tend to have more success with large corporations like technology firms, insurance companies, or banks. There are methods to obtain sponsorship, but it requires years of hard work, a solid plan, and proven experience. It often depends on connections and a fair amount of luck.

Climbing for charity or a cause is popular, but be careful not to exploit your cause to fund a climb. I believe asking for donations to cover climb expenses is poor practice.

You can read more about my experiences with The 7 Summits Climb for Alzheimer’s: Memories are Everything and thoughts for sponsorship at this link.

What are my Chances?

The Himalayan Database reports that between 2010 and 2024, members (not Sherpas) had a 63% summit success rate.

Historically, about 62% of all expeditions have sent at least one member to the summit. In recent years, long-time western operators like Jagged Globe, Adventure Consultants, Furtenbach, Madison Mountaineering, and others have regularly sent almost every member to the summit.

Today, operators use the standard routes, so there are fewer unknowns. That, along with improved weather forecasting, extra supplemental oxygen, and generous Sherpa support, has made Everest one of the safest 8000-meter mountains and the most summited 8000er by a considerable margin.

Be wary of claims of 100% summit success. Recently, operators have calculated success by counting only those who left the High Camp for the summit. They don’t include anyone who paid to climb Everest with them, arrived at Base Camp and didn’t leave for their summit bid from the High Camp. In other words, they may have started with 20 people, had five drop out before the summit push, and another three give up before reaching the South Col, leaving 12 to go to the top. So, all ten made it, and the guide claims 100% when it’s 60% of their original team. However, let’s say 4 of the original 20 left for solid reasons (family emergency, dental problem, etc.), and 16 from the original team summits, which is still 80% (16/20), not 100%.

14

Why Everest?

Let’s wrap up with why even climb Everest at all. It is trendy to criticize anyone who has climbed or is planning a climb. Jon Krakauer’s book Into Thin Air set a negative tone and profiled climbers as rich, inexperienced, and selfish after his one climb in 1996. In my experience with six climbs on Everest or Lhotse, the opposite is today’s reality.

To be fair, in recent years, the marketing of low-cost expeditions has attracted inexperienced climbers. This price move is all about supply and demand. The Nepal government’s puffery about making Everest safer has had zero impact on this because everyone involved, from government officials to guide companies to guides, benefits from the profit.

If you want to attempt the world’s highest peak, do the work:

1. 1. Get the proper experience, train your body to be in “Everest Shape,” and prepare your mind to push yourself harder than you ever thought possible.

1. 1. Earn the right to climb Everest; don’t just expect money to buy the right.

1. 1. Select a team that matches your experience; be smart, be humble, and savor every moment.

Follow the 2025 Everest Coverage!

Preparing for Everest is more than Training

Are you dreaming of majestic mountains but feeling lost on where to begin or how to elevate your climbing journey? Whether you’re eyeing a Colorado 14er, the magnificent Mount Rainier, the towering Everest, or even the daunting K2, look no further – we can help you along every step. Summit Coach is a premier consulting service designed specifically for aspiring climbers around the globe. With the unique advantage of Alan Arnette’s 30 years of experience in high-altitude climbing coupled with three decades in business leadership, we tailor our consulting services to help you achieve your mountaineering aspirations. Explore our diverse pricing options and comprehensive services on the Summit Coach website.

My Thoughts on Everest?

I summarized my thoughts in a post, “I want to climb Everest.”

Climbing Everest is not easy. It is not for beginners. It is not to be rushed. Climbing Everest is a privilege. It is a right that should be earned. When you fly into Kathmandu, you may see Everest out your window. It is at the same level as your airplane is flying. Let that sink in.

Climbing Everest is hard. It tests you in ways you never knew possible. You understand that several months after you get home – regardless of your result. So, yes, climbing Mount Everest, Chomolungma, Sagarmatha, or Peak XV is life-changing. Climb with confidence that you are prepared, knowledgeable, and with a clear sense of purpose.

If you summit, it will change your life. If you attempt it, it will change your life. But no matter the results, the experience is what you take away—not the summit. Research, train, prepare, and climb with confidence. The reward is worth the pain, and the climb is worth the cost.

Climbing Everest can change your life.

Climb On!
Alan
Memories are Everything

15

Everest Pictures and Video

© All images owned and copyrighted by Alan Arnette unless noted. Unauthorized use and reproduction are strictly prohibited without specific permission.

A tour of Everest Base Camp

Alan Arnette became the oldest American to summit K2 in 2014. He has also made six expeditions to Everest or Lhotse, including a summit of Everest in 2011. He climbs to raise money and awareness of Alzheimer’s disease.