Equipment and Clothing: $8,000 to $15,000.
You can’t just run up the mountain in your cross-trainers and heaviest sweatshirt; you need specialized, high altitude mountaineering gear. These items will include essentials such as:
- Plastic double boots (or specialized single boot systems) made specifically for high altitude climbing
- 700-fill down parka
- Glacier glasses with side covers (If you wear prescription glasses, you’ll need to special order these.)
- Sleeping bag – expedition weight, rated to at least -40°F
- Climbing backpack (3,500-4,000 cu. in.)
- Trekking backpack (2,000 – 2,500 cu. in.) – optional
- Ice axe with leash
- Crampons
- Alpine climbing harness
- Carabiners, ascender, rappel/belay device, prussiks
There’s lots more gear to buy, but you get the idea. Most likely, however, you’ll already own most of this gear because there’s no way you can even think about climbing Mount Everest if you’re not already a seasoned high altitude climber. Many commercial guide companies actually require that you either take their specialized high altitude, pre-Everest training course, or sign on for another of their 8,000-meter guided climbs.
- $8,000 (approx.) – Cost for multi-day, pre-Everest training course
If you feel that you’re already competent, be prepared to produce a verifiable resume of your own successful high altitude climbs.
Some people have said that climbing Mount Everest is more of a lifestyle than a goal. The best way to physically prepare for Mount Everest is to live, climb, and train at altitude. You may consider moving to the Rockies or the Sierras a few months prior to your climb. Definitely take time off to do training climbs. Aconcagua in Argentina, or Denali in Alaska are two good choices. Even better are Cho Oyu in Nepal or Shishapangma in Tibet – two of the easier 8000 meter peaks that would help you condition your body to the demands that Mount Everest will exact.
Finally, you have to prepare yourself mentally for the challenge. From beginning to end, your Mount Everest adventure will probably run about 68 days. Seven weeks of that (approximately) will be spent on the mountain itself, but only 21 days or so will be spent actively climbing. The rest will be days spent acclimatizing, resting, waiting out bad weather, building up your energy, and resting some more. You’ll need patience, a constantly positive attitude, and the ability to be the epitome of a team player. With luck, your conditioning, skill, and good judgment under stressful conditions will result in a positive expedition experience and a safe return home.