Mount Everest is the highest of the Himalayan mountains, arching over 8,849 metres (29,032ft) into the sky. Around 800 people try to reach the summit ever year, and there are many risks involved, from using bottled oxygen to hypothermia and frostbite.
Climbers will normally spend months acclimatising their bodies to the extreme conditions as they work their way up the mountain. The climb itself is brutal, thanks to the extreme weather and altitude, as well as exhaustion stopping many from reaching the top. Since 1953, around 7,000 climbers have reached the summit.
Undertaking the climb to the summit isn’t just treacherous, but it’s incredibly costly. For those who have thought about climbing Mount Everest, a TikTok user called @geogeek2_8 shared information about how much climbing Everest “really costs”, and people were shocked.
According to the content creator, you need a permit from Nepal, which costs $11,000 (£8,000). You’ll also need to hire guides and sherpas to help you navigate the brutal conditions, which can cost anywhere between $5,000 and $8,000 (between £3,700 and £5,900). The equipment you need while trekking, from boots to oxygen tanks and high-altitude gear, will cost anything from between $6,000 to $10,000 (£4,400 to £7,400).
And that’s before you even get to Nepal. Flights to Lukla Airport, including food and porters, can cost anywhere between $4,000 to $8,000 (£2,900 to £5,900). Altogether this will set you back somewhere between $26,000 and $37,000 (£19,300 and £27,462).
However, other places estimate the trek to Everest costs a lot more. According to Alan Arnette, who summited Everest in 2011 and has reached “just below the Belcony” three other times, for most people it will cost between $40,000 to $60,000 to climb Everest, but some people will pay as much as $200,000.
Alan explained that various operators compete on either price or luxuries and technologies, and guides have increased their prices. He also included budget on things like insurance, hotel, transport from the airport and vaccines.
When asked whether the price estimate was a bit low, GeoGeek replied: “There are still many less important costs that have not been included.”
From September those seeking to climb the world’s tallest mountain during peak season (April to May) will have to pay a whopping $15,000 (£11,100). For those wanting to climb will have to pay $7,500 (£5,500) from September to Novemer, and $3,750 (£2,700) from December to February.
In the comments section of the video, many expressed their shock at how expensive it is to climb the mountain. “11k for a permit? Why?” asked one person. GeoGeek replied: “Mount Everest is inside Nepal’s territory, and the government regulates all climbs for safety, environmental protection, and revenue.”
Another replied: “With that much money I’d pay my bills and pay off loans! and sleep in my bed without being cold or no oxygen.” “People pay all that money to risk death?” asked another. “Why did I think it was free?” commented another. “For that price I could see all of Europe, Asia and do a lower 48 state road trip,” wrote another.