The Cost Of The Climb
It is very expensive to climb to the top of the world.
The Nepalese government currently charges $70,000 to climb the South Col route. There is an extra $10,000 charge per person if your party includes more than seven climbers. For all other routes the price is $50,000, and there's a $20,000 surcharge for changing the route. A $4,000 environmental deposit is also required.
If a team wishes to use a satellite phone service, add another $5,000. Insurance fees and provisions for the Sherpa team are also required.
Climbers who violated the rules used to be banned from climbing in Nepal for 10 years. In 1993, a British expedition that put two unauthorized climbers on the summit was fined $100,000.
From China, the charge is $5,500 plus an additional $2,000 for the satellite hook-up. The Chinese/Tibet side is logistically harder, requiring climbers to travel west across China to get to the peak. It is possible to get close to the base of the mountain this way with vehicle support.
Cost Estimate For a Seven Member
Expedition to Mt. Everest
| Govenrnment Fee | = | $70,000 | |
| Environmental Deposit | = | $4,000 | |
| Satellite Phone Service | = | $5,000 | |
| Equipment / Supplies | $2,500/person X 7 people | = | $17,500 |
| Airfare to Kathmandu | $1,500/person X 7 people | = | $10,500 |
| Sherpa Provisions and Insurance (10 Sherpas) | $150/day X 20 days | = | $3,000 |
| TOTAL = $110,000 | |||
Figures courtesy of Andrew Crisconi.