Mount Everest is the ultimate bucket list experience for any experienced climber. To reach the summit or to even attempt it is a momentous challenge and life changing experience. It requires both a time and financial commitment since training takes at least a year, climbing the mountain usually takes around 2 months and the gear, guide, equipment and travel are certainly expensive. In this article we are going to explore some of the most commonly asked questions regarding climbing Mount Everest such as, how much the climb costs, what the training involves, how long it takes and more.
How long does it take to climb Mount Everest?
The average time it takes to climb Everest is two months. Climbers start arriving at Everest’s base camp in late March, the standard trek to Everest base camp is 8 days. Base camp sits at the foot of the icefall which is the first major obstacle that occurs when facing the challenge of climbing Mount everest.
The next staging post is camp 2 which can be found at the mouth of the Western Cwm, it is also known as the advanced base. From here climbers will continue to camp 3 and camp 4 on the South Col. Climbers will stay at each camp for a period of time to become acclimated to the altitude. Summit day is typically a date in the middle of May when temperatures rise and winds fall. The aim is for Climbers to reach the Summit in the morning with plenty of daylight left to get down before nightfall.
Can anyone climb Mount Everest?
Mount Everest is famous for being the hardest and highest peak to climb in the world. In order to summit the mountain successfully, not only do you need to be incredibly fit, comfortable climbing at high altitudes and have experience doing so. It is recommended that you spend at least a year training.
What’s more, after a deadly season on Everest in 2019 a record-breaking 891 people summited Mount Everest and 11 of those climbers died. Since this deadly season the Nepalease government has ruled that all climbers seeking a permit to climb Evertst must have experience climbing high altitude mountains. Climbers must also submit a certificate of good health and physical fitness and be accompanied by a trained Nepalese guide.
Training for Mount Everest
Generally, most people need at least a year of specialised training to tackle Mount Everest. In order to successfully complete the climb, you need to be in top physical and psychological condition. Training should involve gaining experience with equipment and handling extremely cold temperatures and high altitudes. The four main areas to focus on when training are:
- Climbing conditioning
- Strength training
- Cardio training
- Flexibility training
During your training, you will need to progressively ramp up your hike time, distance, and elevation gain (at roughly 10% per week) to safely and effectively build your climbing- specific conditioning. Trying to rush this will increase the risk of experiencing some sort of training injury and not being ready for your trip. Below are more details of how to incorporate these four priorities into your training program.
How much does climbing Mount Everest cost?
The price range for a standard supported climbing expedition of Mount Everest varies from £24,000-£120,000. This price depends on the company you go with and how much Sherpa support you will need. It also takes into account which side of the mountain you climb. This price usually includes the cost of transportation to the mountain, food, base camp tents, Sherpa support and supplemental oxygen. This price does not include the climbing gear you will need to complete the challenge safely. It is also important to get the right level of insurance to protect you in the event of an accident.
Insurance for climbing Mount Everest
Anyone who regularly participates in climbing and mountaineering should be aware of the risks involved. These risks can lead to serious injuries and even death which could put one out of work and prevent them from being able to maintain financial commitments. One way to protect yourself in the case of a climbing related accident is life insurance for mountaineering. This means that you, your loved ones and your assets are protected should the worst happen.
If you are looking for insurance for climbing mount everest, it is important that you have the right insurance to give you the correct level of financial protection. The best route to go down is to speak to an expert such as Sports Financial Service who are specialists in the industry of life insurance for extreme sports, including climbing and mountaineering. Infact, Sports FS was originally founded more than 20 years ago to provide specialist insurance for mountaineers and over the years has grown to provide insurance for a whole range of extreme sports. They are able to save you both time and confusion and give you a more accurate quote for a premium that takes your sporting activities into account.
