Can basically ANYONE just go and try climbing Mt. Everest?

Question

...or do you need to like register somewhere with the Nepal government? Are you required to have a sherpa? Or can anyone just go and start climbing lol

Answer 1

Anyone with the cash can basically go and try to climb Mt. Everest.

You can climb Mt. Everest from either the Chinese (Tibetan) side or the Nepalese side. Both countries issue permits; from Nepal it is $10,000 per person for expeditions of 7 or larger ($25,000 if you go solo). A liaison officer is also required for each expedition on the Nepalese side and a $4,000 garbage deposit. Climbers departing from China only require a $4900 fee per climber, but China is considering a $2000 increase.

For a commercial fully guided climb to the summit costs start at around $30,000 excluding transportation to China or Nepal and your personal gear. Figure on about $40,000-60,000 all told.

Stories about climbers learning how to put on their crampons at the beginning of their Everest climbs are not unheard of. This suggests that they have almost no mountaineering experience.

A recommended progression for someone in North America might look like this:
Intro to mountaineering class
Climb several glaciated mountains or at least high peaks (10,000 ft min.) with snow on them and practice use of crampons, ice ax, belaying, rope work, glacier rescue techniques and winter camping
Climb several peaks in Mexico or South America with glaciers and elevations over 17,000 ft.
Climb Aconcagua
Climb Denali (while lower in altitude Denali is much colder and technically more difficult than Aconcagua.)
Climb Everest

Many people won't do all of these steps, but those who do will have a much better chance of surviving Everest.

Answer 2

Climbing Everest is a strictly regulated activity. There are a few layers of buracracy, permits and the like. You do need a guide (like a sherpa) and an enforcer.
It is very expensive to climb the mountain. Most people who "climb" (and I use the term very loosely) it are wealthy or part of a larger sponsored group.

Now to get preachy:
I think too many people are just "anyone" though and they buy their way up the mountain. I feel that even though the environ is very difficult and those that made the summit were actually there, that those people did not nesecarily climb it in any style that needs to even be recognized!
It is a sacred mountain. I think too many people do not acknowledge the spiritual significance of the mountain. I also think some of these people are mocking the whole essence of the sport by hireing someone to "drag" them up the mountain!
Just because you can afford to do it, can afford to litter the mountain with your garbage and spent oxygen bottles does not mean you should!
Granted the local economy and the people of the areas have benifited by the turism and outfitting....
I think climbing Qomolangma (Everest) in true alpine style, light and sporting is the true essence of climbing.That is why It has historically been such a challange! Not every one, even strong experianced climbers, are cut out to tackle something in this realm. It is practiced by those who have studied the mountains, learned the peculiarities of altitude, payed their dues, sacrificed, rejoiced and basically earned a right to climb mountains of this caliber (although there are a handful that easily challange and perhaps better Qomolanga in terms of difficulty).

Answer 3

See the link about getting permission from the Nepal Mountaineering Association, which regulates climbing in Nepal. Besides permit application and fees, you have to have a sirdar or a guide with you at all times to make sure you comply with the regulations and routes.

There is NO physical requirement nor previous experience necessary, so, yes, "anyone" can just go and try climbing Mt. Everest, even if they're blind, one-legged agoraphobics who have never been outside of the house until today.

Answer 4

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Can basically ANYONE just go and try climbing Mt. Everest?
...or do you need to like register somewhere with the Nepal government? Are you required to have a sherpa? Or can anyone just go and start climbing lol

Answer 5

Can Anyone Climb Mount Everest

Answer 6

You have to have a butt load of money to pay the govenment for climbing fees, basically a tax. You have to pay a few grand for a sherpa, around €5000. You need a load of experience or no one will climb it with you. You need equipment, thermals, oxygen, gear etc. And you need to have experience with high altitude.

Answer 7

No, you can't just go up and start climbing. MOST people that go up are either rich, or have a company SPONSOR them up. The sheer cost of buying the proper clothing (and no winter coat will do), the oxygen tanks, and trust me, after the second or third base camp, you NEED them, plus the food and the tents, etc. It is NOT cheap.

Answer 8

When you consider the logistics of getting all that support up to the base camp to begin the climb, $60,000 sounds cheap. Remember that the climb itself is not very challenging. It's the fact that most of it is above 11,000 Ft. where supplemental oxygen is require for any effort at all.

Answer 9

aside from the cost of equipment ,which is really expensive I think you have to get a climbing permit from the government.I think they are in the high 6 figures.so get your permit ,equipment training,transportation to there and back and guides and your all set.Oh ya don't forget to allow the cost of outfitting your local guide they run a big scam,between trips they sell their high dollar gear and part of their rate includes new equipment and they only us the very best.

Answer 10

You can just really star climbing but they do have tour guides. I heard you have to go to first base and back down and to second and third and back down before you can climb to the top.