“I will ascend the mountain’s peak; I will see all mountains small.” For those who want to climb to the top of the world from the southern slope of Mount Everest, not only must they be in superlative physical condition, but they must also have a very fat wallet; whereas for those who are fit but lack funds, climbing Everest can only remain a distant dream.
We often hear that climbing Everest is very expensive, but just how expensive is it? A reporter recently visited Nepal’s Ministry of Finance Tourism Industry Division and the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation to gain a relatively clear understanding of the costs involved in scaling Everest.
Government fees are not fixed. The first factor is the season. Spring climbing season (from March to May) is the golden period for summit attempts, with the highest fees; autumn (September to November) is moderately priced, while winter (December to February) and summer (June to August) are the cheapest.
Another factor is group size. The government encourages group climbs. For example, in spring, the government charges an individual solo climber US$25,000, but for a seven-person team, the total fee is only US$70,000 — which means each person pays just US$10,000.
In autumn, the government charges an individual US$12,500 to climb Everest, while a seven-person team pays only US$35,000 in total — equal to just US$5,000 per person.
During the most dangerous winter and summer seasons, individuals pay US$6,250 to the government, while a seven-person team pays a total of only US$17,500 — just US$2,500 per person.
The fees mentioned above are only what is paid to the government. Training costs, guide fees, porter fees, and the cost of food, water, and basic necessities at Everest camps are not included. All in all, climbing Everest once may cost as much as US$40,000 to US$60,000, or even more.
Some members of the middle class might think that if they save diligently, they can still afford this expense. But if one has to scrimp and save just to gather enough money for a southern slope Everest climb, then it’s better to give up.
Climbing Everest requires full concentration and freedom from any negative emotions. At the end of May last year, a 33-year-old Canadian female climber died on Everest. She could have survived if she hadn’t been so concerned about money. Before the accident, her professional guide advised her that there was congestion ahead and urged her to turn back. Her reply was: “I spent a lot of money to get here, reaching the summit is my dream.”
With prices so high, is there any chance they’ll come down? Sushil Ghimire, spokesperson for Nepal’s Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, responded: “I don’t think the fees are high, and there’s no reason to lower them. There’s only one Mount Everest in the world, and more and more people are willing to pay this tax.”