where to start if you want to climb the Everest?

Answer 1

I don't know what is with all these Everest questions?

Your question should be "where to start if you want to climb a 12,000+ ft snow bound peak". There are lots of them - Palisades, Rainier, Shasta, and Hood are some on the west coast. Making it to the top of Whitney isn't the same as there isn't any glacier travel required.

Many people get to that point and decide that is enough challenge for them - I did. Ice axes, crampons, and 4 layers of clothing change climbing into a completely different activity. Even this will probably be the hardest thing you have ever done in your life.

Once you have summited several high peaks and still like climbing for hours on end with crampons and a really heavy pack, then set your sites on Denali or some other similar 20,000+ ft peak which requires multi-day shuttles. Only then are you even in a position to consider climbing Everest.

Good Luck

Answer 2

Yeah, it seems like every second question here these days is am I too old, is it possible with no previous experience. How to start if you want to climb everest. I think all the interest is because of Everest beyond the limit being repeated on tv.

Answer 3

Well...there are two things you need to do. One - get in shape. Two - acquire the necessary skills. I'll focus on #2.

Start climbing mountains and getting some altitude. Start off with guided climbs to learn the skills for glacier travel. There are some good climbing schools in the east (like EMS), but for glaciers you will have to go west. Try climbing Mt. Rainier in Washington with Rainier Mountaineering, Inc. They have a one week mountaineering skills course where you will learn knots, glacier travel, and crevasse rescue. Then start climbing glaciated peaks - like in the Cascades (Hood, Shasta, Rainier, Adams, etc.). Try hiking and climbing some 14ers in Colorado to get experience with moderate altitude. Then try something higher, like one or two of the Mexican volcanoes. Then Denali.

Then maybe do one of the lower, "easier" 8000 m peaks like Cho Oyo. Or a trek to Everest basecamp and a climb of Island Peak (20K ft) to see what it's like in the Himalayas.

Answer 4

at the BOTTOM