Climbing the Everest
No one has ever climbed Mount Everest on a whim. It requires careful preparations, the first of which is funds. If you want to know how much does it cost to climb Mount Everest, 60,000 USD is an average.
It is not just the act itself which is expensive but the cost also includes your preparations. Your fate up there is completely determined by how well you have trained yourself or the quality of your gear.
Most people hardly aim for the summit but even if you plan to cover just the minimal height you should not take it too casually. Reaching the base camp is risky in itself. Here is an estimateof what exactly you would be spending on.
North or South?
Ask anyone who has ever climbed the Everest, and they could tell you that climbing from the Northern side in Tibet is easier on your pocket. However, that said, the North is more risky to attempt than the South. The weather is much harsher and the distance from the summit greater. Moreover, you are exposed for a greater period of time to the disadvantages of high altitude.
The Southern side trek starts from the village called Lukla. You could reach there by taking a flight from Kathmandu. The disadvantage of the Southern side is the obstructed view unlike the clear vision of the Everest you get on the Northern side.
Before you begin collecting your funds, you need to decide the route you would be taking as the amount will depend on that.
Training
The cost of your personal training is not even included in the actual price you need to pay. Yet you have to hire a professional to mold your body with enough flexibility so that you do not feel the strain during the climb.
It is not just money that is required to train you for climbing the Everest but also your time. Make sure that you are used to exerting yourself even in extreme conditions.
Gear
Choose your gear without compromising on quality. You really can’t afford it if you decide to take a cheaper pair of gloves and end up with frostbite. You could lose your finger in that case and isn’t it wiser to just take a good pair of gloves in the first place? Apart from your protective gear, you would need sleeping bags and a down suit. However, the most important investment will be your boots.
You need to try out the boots and wear them in properly before your climb. Trying on a new pair while climbing will be the most dangerous risk you could ever take. On the whole, for your gear, you need a minimum of 7000 USD.
Guides
Your cost would depend largely on whether you choose to take a guide or not. Most companies would provide you with atleast one guide if not two on the trip. However, most of the guides are Nepali sherpas. If you want a western guide, the cost would be more than local guides.
Apart from the cost of the guide, you also have to pay for the bottled oxygen that your guide will be using. Guided trips charge their amount based on the advanced facilities and services that they will provide you with. Before you dismiss them as irrelevant, think carefully about whether you really would be able to adjust without them.
Climbing Permit
The climbing permit is often included in the cost charged by the guiding company. The climbing permit is obtained from the Nepal or the Tibet government, based on whether you are climbing from the North or the South. The cost of the permit in Nepal is around 11,000 USD while in Tibet it is cheaper at 7000 USD.
Other Climbing Costs
Apart from the permit, you would also be requiredto pay for a liaison officer. The liaison officer will supervise your expedition and ensure that you have a permit in the first place. They are also charged with the supervision of the rules.
You would also be required to pay an amount for medical support. The deposit fee to Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee and the fee for the human waste collection is however refundable. You would also be charged for toilet barrels depending on the weight.
The Staff
Sherpas charge a lot. However western guides will charge you five times more. Personal sherpas are trained in English and are well-equipped to deal with western climbers. However, while personal sherpas will be with you all through the way, they also charge a lot more.
However, the pay is variable for the other members of the staff on your team. Often cooks and other helpers are paid more if they continue on to the second camp. Moreover, they might also do your carries and help you bring down the extra oxygen bottles for which the charge is extra depending on the height.
Moreover, there will be other staff members who are not permanent but will bring you fresh food and leave later on. They also help to aid in the other matters during the climb. You often need to pay extra for a summit Sherpa as well.
Base Camp
An Everest base camp is almost a city equipped with heaters, generators, computers, radios and all kinds of luxuries, the least of which is cooking equipment and tentage. You could probably do with a minimal camp if you do not need such elaborate arrangements.
Bottled Oxygen
You do not have to choose to buy bottled oxygen, but if you do, it will cost you around 550 USD for one bottle. Added to that will be 1000 USD for a regulator and an oxygen mask. For one expedition, you would probably need around 7 bottles of oxygen.
You can always forgo the extra cost this requires but most do choose to opt for it during their expedition.
Sum up
The cost charged by the operator you choose will depend on their reputation. However, reputations are often based on worth and it is always better to take the advice of experience while taking on such an expedition.
The total cost is not fixed and depends on a lot of factors. You will need to do proper research about what they are offering and for how much before you make your decision.
That said, the expense is completely worth it when you compare it to the sense of achievement you achieve.