How long does it take to climb Mt. Everest
Climbing Mount Everest is a demanding and lengthy adventure that involves a lot of planning and determination. The trip starts in Kathmandu, a busy city in Nepal, and has several stages where climbers must get used to the high mountains, tricky paths, and severe altitudes. The journey can take anywhere from 20 to 30 days. In this essay, we’ll look at the difficult journey to the summit of Mount Everest and the challenges climbers face along the way. Here are the 8 stages to reach the summit of Mt. Everest.
Stage 1: Getting Ready in Kathmandu
People from other countries who want to climb Mount Everest are recommended to spend at least six months in Nepal to adjust to the high altitudes and difficult conditions that await them in the Himalayas. This long period of getting used to the environment is crucial for keeping the climbers safe and making sure they succeed.
Stage 2: Flying to Lukla
The journey officially starts with a short but scary flight from Kathmandu to Lukla. This flight is known for having one of the riskiest runways globally. The airport in Lukla is located at a height of 2,846 meters (9,337 feet), and the flight can be expensive. Climbers must be prepared for a tough journey even before reaching the slopes of Mount Everest.
Stage 3: Trekking to Everest Base Camp
The trek from Lukla to Everest Base Camp is a tough 11 to 14-day trip on foot, covering over 62 kilometers (38.5 miles). Climbers have to walk for 8-9 hours a day, navigating narrow paths, rocky areas, steep cliffs, and the risk of yak stampedes. The government recommends or requires climbers to have a team of local guides, climbers, and porters for safety, which adds to the initial cost.
Stage 4: Getting Used to Altitude at Everest Base Camp
After reaching the Everest Base Camp, climbers have to spend a night or two to adjust to the high altitude (5,600 meters or 18,373 feet). They might experience symptoms like feeling sick, headaches, dizziness, and tiredness. Learning how to breathe in the thin mountain air becomes very important.
Stage 5: Crossing Khumbu Icefall
The next challenge is going through the dangerous Khumbu Icefall, reaching Everest Base Camp I at 6,100 meters (20,013 feet). Climbers have to use makeshift ladder bridges to cross crevasses and narrow ledges, making this part very risky.
Stage 6: Getting Used to Higher Camps
To prepare for even higher altitudes and overcome the effects of altitude sickness, climbers might stay for 5 to 7 more days at higher camps, like Everest Base Camp II or III. These camps are situated at extremely high altitudes and need careful adjustment.
Stage 7: Climbing in the “Death Zone”
The “death zone” is above 8,000 meters (26,247 feet), where there’s very little oxygen. Even after getting used to it, breathing normally becomes really difficult. Climbers have to be very cautious in this dangerous area.
Stage 8: Reaching the Summit
The top of Mount Everest is at an incredible 8,848 meters (29,029 feet). Climbers usually start their final climb in the evening, climbing all night to reach the summit by mid-morning. However, they only have a short time (10-15 minutes) at the summit before they need to come down to lower areas.
Climbing Mount Everest is a huge adventure with many stages and difficulties. Climbers not only have to handle the physical challenges but also be mentally and emotionally ready for tough conditions and unpredictable weather. This journey shows human strength and our unending desire for adventure as climbers push themselves to reach the top of the world. Climbing Mount Everest is an amazing example of the unyielding human spirit when faced with tough conditions and the formidable power of nature.
