A lot of people who love extreme outdoors might ask, how much does it cost to climb Everest?  It’s not cheap, I can tell you that much. It could even cost you life and limb, depending on the mountain’s unpredictability. Despite the increasing number of climbers each year, the trip to the summit is still very dangerous.  At 29,029 feet above sea level (planes fly at this height, by the way), the journey to the top of Mt. Everest gets riskier as you get closer to the finish line.  Everest claimed the lives of many climbers over the decades due to oxygen depletion, if not for the rugged trail as climbers ascend.  I’ve always wanted to get a glimpse of the horizon while on top of the world, but I fear my body will not stand this grueling climb.

How Much Does It Cost To Climb Everest? A Lot, Apparently.

If you really wanna know how much it costs to climb Everest, the answer is A LOT.  Survival preparation is crucial as the mountain’s hostile weather includes freezing winds that reach speeds of up to 50 miles an hour.  Unexpected storms can drop snow up to about 3 meters tall. Money should not be an issue because your survival is at stake here.

Altitude sickness due to lack of oxygen in extreme heights can lead to loss of consciousness, the most dangerous scenario possible on Mt. Everest.  For every 100 people that reached the top, an average of 4 died.  But regardless of the obvious risk that the great Everest poses, more people are still inspired by those who have succeeded.  For instance, Reinhold Messner inspired me to challenge some great heights as I prepare to fulfill the ambition of a lifetime in the Himalayas.

So before you decide to pack up your gear to climb Mt. Everest, you need to be aware of how much you’ll need to spend (on average):

The Permit

Climbing the tallest mountain on the planet is not cheap. If you want to clim Everest, you’ll have to save up for all the fees you’ll need to pay. The permit to climb alone requires $11,000, apart from the average trip cost of $65,000. Rental fees are not included.

High altitude climbing gear

The high-altitude climbing gear, from footwear to headgear to climbing sticks, costs $7,000. You don’t want to reduce your budget for this one. This might just be the best summit of your climbing career so go for the high quality brands.

Other expenses

Advanced climbing lessons cost $4,000 and helicopter evacuation costs between $5,000 and $20,000, depending on start and end locations. The least you situation you’d wanna be in is awaiting rescuers on a chopper to pick you up. That’s got to hurt your pockets!

Here’s a captivating view of the summit and some of Mount Everest’s iconic place and people.

Base Camp

The famous Everest base camp in Kathmandu.  This is where climbers are supposed to begin and end their journey.  A place of complete briefing for the safety and success of reaching the summit which is a very important goal for each of the participants.

 View of Mt. Everest Peak

Even from base camp, one can already see the captivating view of the highest peak in the world in clear skies.  Mt. Everest in the Himalayas is beautiful as it is dangerous to climb.  The most ambitious climbers in the world gather every year to experience an expedition of a lifetime.

Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay

These right here are folks with balls of steel. Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay wanted to emphasize the importance of being a team to accomplish their goal.  They were the first two people to reach the summit of Mount Everest.

 

Here’s a video about how hard it is to climb Everest by BuzzFeedYellow.

It’s every climber’s dream to be part of this great expedition.  I’ve been through some less challenging mountain treks in my life and it’s always a defining moment whenever I reach the top.  There’s always this strange yet glorious energy at the summit that surrounds me but I think there’s nothing more glorious than standing on top of the world in Everest.

 

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Featured Image Via BBC