A Guide to Preparing for Everest as a Beginner

Preparing for a climb Everest as a beginner almost seems like an oxymoron. You may ask, how can a beginner actually climb the highest peak in the world?

Professional climbers have tried. Many have failed. It takes about two or three years of adequate climbing to qualify for Everest. You’ll also need a couple of high altitude climbs, for practice. But we’re getting a little ahead of ourselves. If you have a dream to climb Everest, as most people do, but don’t know exactly where to start, here’s a beginner’s guide on where to start:

  1. Research

This cannot be emphasized enough. Half the battle of actually going is the planning. Arm yourself with the most accurate information so you can plot out and make conscious decisions, based on facts. First, learn the basics of the climb. How many weeks will it actually take to traverse from base to peak? Answer: it takes six to nine weeks, with an average of 40 days. How much will it cost to go? This is dependent on a lot of factors, such as the level of training you need to take, the actual travel to and from Nepal, as well as to and from Everest Base Camp. However, there are already certain mandatory expenses, like climbing permits, fees, cooks and assistants. All in all, the cost will average around 100,000 USD. Other than these fees, you’ll also have to consider your gear, equipment, and the like.

  1. Create a Body Conditioning Plan

While there are sherpas you can hire to take your gear and other essentials up the mountain, (which is honestly a no-no for the most authentic and experienced climbers), it is also key that your physical state is conditioned to the maximum. Not being ready means you are a liability to your companions. Also, remember that you will be carrying some sort of gear and a bottle of oxygen while you’re climbing rough terrain. Depending on what physical condition you are in, you will need to start training in order to heighten your technical skill. You can start with a rock-climbing exercise. This will help you be familiarized with the equipment, such as the ropes and belaying. Cardiovascular conditioning and strength conditioning are also musts. This has to be done at least six months before the actual climbing attempt. Intensify your routine as the month of the climb gets closer. A combination of strength training, cardiovascular training, and some actual wilderness treks, are ideal.

  1. Practice Climbing on Ice

While training in the wilderness is important, it will not fully prepare you for the acclimatization, footwork, and technical skill needed for the frigid climates of Everest. You’ll need to learn how to use snow belays, crampons, ice screws and ice picks. You’ll also need hard boots ideal for the weather.

Practicing climbing on ice also hits two birds with one stone. Nepal’s tourism agency already heavily assess the climbing resumes of those who want to climb. You’ll need experience in high altitude climbing. The higher you climb, of course, the more bonus points you get. There’s a good list of practice mountains that you can ascend to prior to your climb to Everest. What the experts consider high altitude starts at 4,000 meters (13,123 feet) above sea level. These include mountains like Kilimanjaro in Tanzania (great for those without any technical experience), Rainier in Northwestern USA, and Elbrus in Russia. If you want something more challenging and something closer to the altitude of Everest, you can go 6,000 to 7,000 meters (19,685 to 22,966 feet) above sea level. Most of these mountains are still found in the Himalayas such as Stok Kangri, Island Peak (found quite near Everest), and Mera Peak. The biggest brownie points, though, are given to climbers who have already climbed the death zones, mountains with peaks that are 8,000 meters (16,245 feet) above sea level. These include mountains like Cho Oyu (still found in Nepal), and Shishapagma in Tibet and China.

  1. Make Clear Your Intentions of Why You Want to Climb the Heart of the Himalaya

While training in the wilderness is important, it will not fully prepare you for the acclimatization, footwork, and technical skill needed for the frigid climates of Everest. You’ll need to learn how to use snow belays, crampons, ice screws and ice picks. You’ll also need hard boots ideal for the weather.

Practicing climbing on ice also hits two birds with one stone. Nepal’s tourism agency already heavily assess the climbing resumes of those who want to climb. You’ll need experience in high altitude climbing. The higher you climb, of course, the more bonus points you get. There’s a good list of practice mountains that you can ascend to prior to your climb to Everest. What the experts consider high altitude starts at 4,000 meters (13,123 feet) above sea level. These include mountains like Kilimanjaro in Tanzania (great for those without any technical experience), Rainier in Northwestern USA, and Elbrus in Russia. If you want something more challenging and something closer to the altitude of Everest, you can go 6,000 to 7,000 meters (19,685 to 22,966 feet) above sea level. Most of these mountains are still found in the Himalayas such as Stok Kangri, Island Peak (found quite near Everest), and Mera Peak. The biggest brownie points, though, are given to climbers who have already climbed the death zones, mountains with peaks that are 8,000 meters (16,245 feet) above sea level. These include mountains like Cho Oyu (still found in Nepal), and Shishapagma in Tibet and China.