The Right Age to Climb Everest?

When are you too old to climb Everest; or too young? How about 13 or 80? Does age really matter anymore?

I don’t like to discuss age with respect to records because they are hard to prove and records are difficult to maintain plus there is no unified system to confirm the climber’s claims.

However, Nepal requires permits with birth dates so climbs from the south side are as accurate as the information provided.

The youngest person to summit Everest was in 2003 was Miss Ming Kipa, sick a Sherpani, discount 15 years-old.  She summited from the north since you have to be 16 to summit in Nepal – this is to protect the kids. The oldest? 76-year-old Nepalese Min Bahadur Sherchan, from Nepal on May 26, 2008 via the south side.

The Young

Courtesy of research this table shows the youth movement on Everest:

Climber	Nationality	Birth Date	Ascent	Age
Edmund Hillary	New Zealander	20 Jul 1919	29 May 1953	33 years, 313 days
Jürg Marmet	Swiss	14 Sep 1927	23 May 1956	28 years, 252 days
Hansrudolf von Gunten	Swiss	12 Dec 1928	24 May 1956	27 years, 164 days
Chu Yin-hua	Chinese	31 Mar 1935	25 May 1960	25 years, 55 days
Sonam Wangyal	Indian Ladakhi	8 Jan 1942	22 May 1965	23 years, 134 days
Shambu Tamang	Nepalese Tamang	20 Oct 1955	5 May 1973	17 years, 197 days
Pema Chiring	Nepalese Sherpa	17 Dec 1983	22 May 2001	17 years, 156 days
Temba Tshiri	Nepalese Sherpa	6 May 1985	23 May 2001	16 years, 17 days
Ming Kipa Sherpa	Nepalese Sherpani	later 1987	22 May 2003	15 years, ??? days




The Oldest

The oldest was 76-year-old Min Bahadur Sherchan, from Nepal in 2008. Japanese Yuichiro Miura (the man who skied down Everest) is neck to neck with him being a few days younger. He has already summited twice and and wants to return in 2013 at age 80 for another attempt.

Announced for 2010,  80 year old Former Foreign Minister of Nepal, Mr. Sailendra Kumar Upadhyaya wants to attempt to set the age record. Tamae Watanabe of Japan is the oldest woman to summit Everest at age 63 in 2002.



The Average

With all this talk about extreme ages, the reality is the average Everest climber is in their 30’s. In 2005, I did an analysis based on the press releases from Nepal’s Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Civil Aviation of the ages of the guides, climbers and Sherpas who summited that year from the South side. Not every age or title was listed but there was enough information to get an idea.

2005 South Summiteers	Leaders	Climbers	Sherpas
Total	8	39	44
Average Age	38	34	32
Youngest	24	20	20
Oldest	52	47	48




2010

In 2010, there are a few Everest climbers to watch with respect to age. It seems that each country has an age race underway.

First up is Jordan Romero, the 13 year-old from Big Bear California. He has already climbed 6 of the 7 Summits along with his father, Paul. Clearly controversial at such a young age, you can read more at Backpacker and Outside about Paul and Jordan. They will climb unguided via the North side with their own expedition using a Kathmandu logistics company.

Of note was in 2009, two 17 year-olds summited. Johnny Collision with professional guide Damian Benegas and Johnny Strange with professional guide Scott Woolums thus establishing the low-end for American climbers.

Bill Burke set a high bar for the aging Americans with his summit last year at age 67. Bill, now at age 68, is back to climb not only from the North but then will move to the South for another attempt during the same expedition – a double summit with Asian Trekking. Nils Antezana, a US citizen who was born in Boliva summited in 2004 at age 69 but died on the descent.

In the UK, Bonita Norris is looking to summit at age 22. Bonita is climbing with Kenton Cool’s Dream Guides.

India’s 16-year-old Arjun Vajpai ing to join last year summit of 19-year-old Krushnaa Patil. Vajpal is climbing with Asian Trekking.

Finally, let’s not forget the planned climb of 80 year old Mr. Sailendra Kumar Upadhyaya.

Age Risks

Is there a risk in climbing to altitudes where the oxygen density is 1/3rd that of sea level? The short answer is yes. Multiple medical studies have shown decline in brain size and almost near-death symptoms in the most healthy athletes. In 2007, team of UK doctors from the Caudwell Xtreme Everest expedition conducted extensive research. It is unknown the impact on the youngest or oldest climbers.

For young climbers, the questions include brain development, judgment, maturity and skills. For older climbers, it involves health issues, speed and stamina.



Enablers

So why are we seeing such as large variation in age on Everest. Three reasons: infrastructure and opportunity plus the willingness of sponsors to push the limits.

The infrastructure on Everest, and many other 8000m mountains, make climbing accessible to many climbers with the right skills and resources. Equipment is significantly improved just in the past decade. Oxygen systems are more reliable and the routes are well understood and maintained – especially on Everest’s south side.

Note, that I have not said it easy – every climber, regardless of their age, must carry gear and put one step in front of the other from base camp to summit; and back.

With so many expedition operators offering logistical only services, the costs are relatively low so young climbers can afford it. Also, the filter for climber’s skills and conditions are not what they used to be. Historically, guides required a physician’s statement plus a resume showing solid experience at high-altitude before accepting a climber for Everest. Clearly this “opportunity” comes with increased risks.

Sponsors see value in promoting their brand with unique climbers. While the vast majority of sponsored are in their late teens and twenties; some are on the extreme youth end thus targeting a desirable demographic for today and tomorrow. Just look at snowboarder Shawn White’s career as an example.



Responsibility

However, high-altitude mountaineering is quite different than resort activities where staff and medical support is immediately available. Climbers often put other climbers at risk. So it is important to be on a team with reserve capacity to help out in an emergency. The responsible ones think through worst case scenarios and prepare for them with competent teams and support staff.

The older climbers are proving aging does not mean stopping and the youth are showing that under the right conditions, you can do amazing things at any age. I admire these “extreme” climbers. They are pushing the envelope of conventional boundaries and I wish them the of luck. But more importantly, to be safe and return home with or without a summit.

Climb On!

Alan