We’ve only been climbing Mount Everest for the last 70 years, which is a relatively short period compared to the 200-year-old history of this sport.
But, as one can imagine, the tallest mountain in the world does not suffer from a lack of interest. Many mountaineers across the decades have tried to climb Mount Everest, and many have succeeded in this endeavor. Interested in sleeping at Everest Base Camp?
Now, climbing Everest is quite a prominent attraction. Many companies organize commercially guided expeditions, accommodating people who want to try themselves on the highest summit in the world.
How many people have climbed Mount Everest, can anyone join an Everest expedition, and how much does something like this cost? I accumulated all this information to share with you in this article. Contact us.
How Many People Have Reached the Top of Mount Everest?
According to the Himalayan Database, a little above 6,000 people climbed Mount Everest. Mount Everest has been climbed over 11,000 times, with 5,700 ascents made by Nepalese people. This, of course, includes mountaineers who took part in multiple expeditions.
For this reason, we have recorded more than 11,850 summit ascents since 1953, when the first climbers, Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, successfully reached the top.
Although Mount Everest is a very popular climb, it doesn’t mean it’s a piece of cake. Quite the contrary. Everest climbers have to go through months of preparation, both physical and mental, as well as come to terms with the risks, as not every Everest climber comes back from an expedition.
Losing your life or health is one thing, but every high mountain climber knows very well that mountains are an unpredictable force. Not every team reaches the summit due to weather conditions or other issues.
So it takes a really strong will, an experienced guide, and extensive knowledge of your own limits to approach this challenge.
How Many People Climb Mount Everest Every Year?
The photographs of Everest camps drowning in the sea of trash left by the climbers were seen worldwide. This issue has actually gotten much worse in the last 20 years, to the point that multiple organizations and the Nepal government conduct projects every year to clean the mountain.
It’s also the reason why climbers who wish to climb Mount Everest are obligated to pay a $4,000 deposit to cover the costs of cleanup. This problem is serious, as Mount Everest and the nearby area are protected under the Sagarmatha National Park.
All of this begs the question, how many people climb Mount Everest every year? Around 800 tries to summit the mountain yearly, but that’s not all.
The Sagarmatha National Park is visited by approximately 100,000 people every year. Each day around 500 people make their way to the Everest Base Camp. This exposes the whole area to more pollution.
When it comes to the climb itself, it’s not a rare situation to stay in the line, waiting for the chance to summit Everest. Climbers walk in single file over the Hillary Step, the last challenging obstacle before reaching the top, and wait in the cold for hours.
The window of time during which climbing Everest is the easiest for tourists spreads from April to May, and that is when the highest traffic can be experienced. It’s technically possible to climb Everest in summer and winter, but very few have done it, especially in the wintertime.
Can a Normal Person Climb Mount Everest?
Mount Everest is not a climb for beginners. For starters, you need around $50,000 to be able to purchase your permit and pay for all the costs associated with the trip. Learn more.
Obviously, being a skilled and experienced climber is a necessity. Those with previous experience with mounting alpine mountains or other high mountains will have a much easier time making this climb.
Anyone willing to go into the high mountains has to be physically fit and mentally prepared. Most people spend at least one year training intensely before they are ready to climb Mt Everest.
Fortunately, there are many ways through which you can prepare yourself for such a challenge. Many companies and adventure consultants offer mentorships and programs through which you can get the best possible information about what climbing Mount Everest really looks like and what you should do to make this experience the safest and most fulfilling for you.
One of the most important things to keep in mind when planning the climb is the fact that it is a very psychologically taxing trial. People climbing the mountain are far from home for months, risking their lives and enduring difficult conditions.
They are forced to be around their teammates for a long time and can’t opt that easily from the climb. Many experience loneliness, exhaustion, irritation, or boredom during their expedition.
It has been even more difficult for those who have climbed mount Everest solo. Solo Everest summits have been attempted only a handful of times, and it’s not an option available for most mountaineers, especially those without previous Everest experience.
Needless to say, the view from the roof of the world is all worth it.
How Long Is an Expedition?
The overwhelming majority of mountaineers choose to go on expeditions during the spring climbing season, which is between April and May. This is when the weather conditions are the most optimal for a safe and easier climb.
In most cases, climbing Everest takes a total of 10 weeks, of which 3 to 6 weeks are spent trekking to camps and 4 to 7 weeks are reserved for the climb in the higher parts of the mountain.
It’s crucial to reserve enough time for proper acclimatization. At those altitudes, there is less oxygen, and even minor health concerns, like the flu, can become real hazards and end the climb.
Thin air and altitude sickness pose a threat to the physical and mental state of those who want to get to Everest’s summit, which is why the time spent on acclimatizing your body is so important.
Interestingly enough, the very last distance to make before an expedition can reach the peak starts at night. Climbing from Camp 4 to the summit of Everest begins under the curtain of the night, and mountaineers use headlamps to navigate the path.
Overall, climbing the highest mountain in the world can take more than two months.
How Much Does It Cost to Climb Everest?
The amount you will need to pay for an expedition varies significantly. The most affordable packages will cost you around $40,000, while the most expensive ones reach an impressive number of $160,000 (and, in some cases, even more). For the most part, it costs around $50,000 to climb Mount Everest. The permit alone is $15,000.
Why is it so high-priced? To reach the summit of Mount Everest, you need to invest in proper equipment, pay for the guide, climbing permits, and insurance, as well as the cost of travel and supplies.
There are ways to minimize those expenses. For example, attempting the climb from the north side in Tibet is cheaper than from the south side in Nepal, although the second route is more popular.
Also, it costs less to climb the mountain without the support of guides. Of course, it’s not a solution for inexperienced mountaineers. It’s a requirement in Nepal to hire a local Sherpa guide for logistics-only expeditions, but it’s more affordable than hiring your own personal Western guide.
A traditional Western guide charges around $20,000 for their support. It’s not so costly to hire a personal Sherpa.
Mount Everest draws climbers with a big spirit of adventure, but it’s definitely a costly trip.
Most Common Climbing Routes
Although there are more than 15 named routes that lead to the top, two are considered the most predominant ones. These would be the South Col route and the North East Standard, also known as the North Col route.
South Col Route
Located in Nepal, the South Col route was first traversed by a Swiss expedition in 1952. It was also the route that the British expedition led by Colonel John Hunt chose to climb when the peak of Mount Everest was reached for the first time in history.
Right now, it’s the most popular route for Everest summits, with an easy trek to base camp in the Khumbu but also the unstable Khumbu Icefall, which poses one of the biggest challenges on this route.
Still, it’s one of the safest routes and, consequently, one of the most crowded as well.
Northeast Ridge Route
The first attempts to take on the North Col route were made by a British team in 1921. The details of the first summit are unclear, as George Mallory and Andrew “Sandy” Irvine, who chose this path in 1924, died during this expedition.
The first climbers to reach the world’s highest peak through the north side that we know of were Nawang Gombu, Chu Yin-Hau and Wang Fu-Zhou, who summited Everest in 1960.
North East Ridge is more challenging, as the weather conditions can be harsher, and camps are located at higher elevations. There is also no possibility of conducting rescue operations with a helicopter.
Most Notable Climbs of Mount Everest
The history of Everest conquerors is a fascinating one. Here are some of the most notable climbs of Mount Everest.
- The first climbers to ever climb Everest were Sir Edmund Hillary (New Zealand) and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa (Nepal) in 1953.
- The first woman to climb Mount Everest was Junko Tabei (Japan) in 1975.
- The first person who climbed Mount Everest twice was Nawang Gombu (India) in 1963 and 1965.
- The first climb without supplemental oxygen was achieved by Peter Habeler (Austria) and Reinhold Messner (Italy) in 1978.
- The first person who has climbed Everest solo and without supplemental oxygen was Reinhold Messner.
- The first ascent to the summit of Mount Everest during winter was accomplished in 1980 by Krzysztof Wielicki (Poland) and Leszek Cichy (Poland).
- Ian Taylor, Youngest Irishman to Climb Mount Everest 23rd May 2008 (Ireland)
Have the Adventure of a Lifetime on Everest
Take part in our Everest Base Camp Trek and discover the beauty of the highest mountain in the world. Join the climbing community and challenge yourself on one of the most famous trails.
Fall in love with mountaineering by discovering our Annapurna Base Camp Trek. This is a perfect opportunity for you to experience the magic the Himalayas have to offer, with all the highs and lows of climbing and amazing people around you – both in your team and in local communities.
Reach Island Peak and Lobuche Peak with a team of experienced climbers, ensuring the best chance of reaching the summits. Along the way, there are breathtaking views, thrilling adventures and challenges that will make you appreciate the highest mountain in the world even more.
You will find more relevant information here.