There are few greater challenges on earth than scaling Mount Everest, the tallest summit in the world.
With a height of 8848 meters, this is not a mountain trek for the faint hearted.
Mount Everest, part of the Himalayan mountain range, touches the borders of China, Tibet, and Nepal. It is the ultimate goal of most mountaineers, and a journey to the top should not be taken lightly. Up to 15 trekkers die on their expeditions each year, while many more succumb to frostbite and low oxygen levels.
This isn’t a summit one scales without some serious training. Most mountaineers practice climbing smaller peaks with similar conditions, including high alpine terrain and ice falls, for at least two years before tackling the Himalayan summit. You’ll also need to see your doctor to ensure you’re at peak physical fitness before attempting the journey.
Mount Everest in the Himalayas
The years spent training should be enough for you to raise the sort of cash you’ll need, because this expedition is not cheap. An independent voyage can cost as much as $25, 000, while a package tour will set you back around $60, 000. It seems expensive, but $10, 000 of this goes to climbing permits alone. When you add travel, provisions, oxygen, insurance, and equipment into the equation it’s easy to see how the dollars add up.
May and October are the best times to scale Mount Everest, as this avoids winter snowstorms and summer monsoons.
The dangerous journey is probably not one you want to take alone. Tour companies including Jagged Globe and 7Summits regularly organize treks to Mount Everest which help to minimize the risks of this hazardous journey. It’s still not a trip one should take lightly, but there are few thrills that compare to the achievement of scaling the granddaddy of the world’s famous Seven Summits.
