How does everest work

The trek to the summit takes months of physical preparation and weeks of acclimatization to get climbers used to the mountain's oxygen-starved altitudes.

Last month, tragedy struck on the peak. At least 11 people died , 10 of whom were on their way down from the summit. Some expedition companies and officials blamed lines near the summit, which caused climbers to spend more time in the mountain's "death zone": altitudes above 26, feet, where the body cannot get enough oxygen.

But other experienced climbers said most problems arise when climbers don't leave themselves enough energy to get back down the mountain. Read More: Crowds, costs, and corpses: 16 misconceptions about what it's like to climb Everest. Here's what it's like to climb the world's highest peak, according to 10 people who've experienced Everest. Crystal said his fitness regimen focused on core and general strength training. In addition to the personal training and stair climbing, he woke up at a.

Lukla has a reputation among climbers for being the world's scariest airport; the planes that transport climbers are quite small. Horrell , who has made the trip to Lukla seven times, described one accident in when a pilot misjudged the landing. People often pass through Namche Bazaar, a mountain village, to stock up on supplies. When Sprayregen arrived at Base Camp, she said , "I high-fived my group and took in the sight of dozens of yellow tents pitched across the ice, tents belonging to those preparing for their ascent.

Most of the regulars at Base Camp are sherpas who make their living guiding climbers up the mountain and transporting goods between Kathmandu, Base Camp, and other higher camps on the peak. Often, they receive a bonus for helping clients reach the top.

Sherpa previously told Business Insider that climbing Everest is "a little bit" scary, even for him. He added that another trip up would allow him to complete his 25th summit during his 50th year of life. Crystal realized that he was developing high-altitude pulmonary edema HAPE , in which dangerous levels of fluid build-up in the lungs.

He decided to leave the mountain. If climbers don't give their bodies enough time to adjust to the lung-crushing conditions in the Himalayas, they could experience swelling in their brain and lungs.

For this reason, expeditions generally make at least three trips up the mountain from Base Camp, going a few thousand feet higher each time before making a push for the top.

The Khumbu Icefall consists of layers of gigantic ice blocks that are constantly shifting, creating giant crevasses in between them. Climbers use metal ladders to span these cracks. Climbers perished after they fell into crevasses, sections of the Icefall melted and collapsed around them, or avalanches smothered them.

A mountain rescue team was able to evacuate Webster to Base Camp, then to Kathmandu for treatment. Burke kept climbing — the next step after Base Camp is Camp One, at 19, feet — and she eventually reached the summit. According to mountaineer and filmmaker David Breashears, the air has so little oxygen in it that even with supplementary air tanks, it can feel like "running on a treadmill and breathing through a straw.

She added: "It's absolutely crucial that you pay attention to what's going on around you and inside your body. You need to pay attention to small signals that your body is giving you. Some expedition companies have blamed these lines for the deaths that occurred last month, since the wait caused people to spend more time in the part of Everest known as the "death zone," which starts 26, feet up.

But Kami Rita Sherpa said these traffic jams are nothing new. That's why some climbers sit down and don't get back up. Over time, your extremities go numb, which indicates the beginning of frostbite. If not covered in additional layers and warmed swiftly, your skin turns a grayish-yellow and becomes hard and waxy. At this point, your joints may stop working as the affected areas become increasingly susceptible to irreversible tissue death, which requires amputation.

The best way to prevent frostbite is to ensure you have the highest-quality mittens, socks, boots, and headgear. And since windchill can dramatically speed up the onset and worsening of frostbite , do what you can to minimize wind exposure, like staying in your tent as often as possible. When you buy something using the retail links in our stories, we may earn a small commission. Outside does not accept money for editorial gear reviews. Read more about our policy. Search Search.

Your body on Everest is working overtime. Twitter Icon. Illustration by Erin K Wilson Brain As you ascend, less oxygen in your blood means less oxygen in your brain. Illustration by Erin K Wilson Lungs Starting at around 9, feet, your lungs may begin to swell due to a constriction of blood vessels , which can cause fluid to leak and accumulate. Illustration by Erin K Wilson Heart To supply your organs and muscles with enough oxygen to maintain functioning, your heart must work harder at altitude.

Illustration by Erin K Wilson Gut Digestion slows at altitude due to a lack of oxygen in the intestines and the body diverting blood to more critical organs and the muscles that are being used to climb. Read this next. By: The Editors. By: Alex Hutchinson. This allows you to climb at your own pace and enjoy the mountain on your own terms. The costs vary depending on how many climbers there in your private group. Please contact the office for details or see our Private Customised Expeditions page for more detail.

Why are you sometimes more expensive than other operators? Many of our trips are very similar in price to our competitors. Some companies even wait for us to set our prices and use ours as a guideline! Some of our main selling points, which sometimes do cost more, are internationally qualified Western guides, proven dependable local operators, small group sizes and safe client-to-guide ratios, quality equipment and high summit success rates, among other things.

You do get what you pay for which is why we stand out from the rest. Which route? North or South? The South Col route from Nepal offers the best chance of success for most climbers.

High royalty fees by the Nepalese Government have created a large disparity between the costs of Everest expeditions from Nepal and Tibet. We encourage you to research details about both sides of the mountain. People will argue the virtues of either of the two approaches. The Khumbu Icefall has a fearsome reputation and it is indeed, a phenomenal route to climb. Our Camp 2 is situated directly beneath the imposing black hulk of the notorious Southwest Face.

As one climbs higher up the route to South Col, the views become even more outstanding with incredible vistas along the Himalayan chain and out towards the lowlands of Nepal. As we approach the South Summit, the dawn breaks to reveal astounding views from Kanchenjunga in the east to Shishapangma off to the west, with all the peaks of the Khumbu well below us.

After the summit, we descend via the same route, losing height quickly and generally we arrive back at the South Col some hours after leaving the summit. On the north side, climbers must do a long traverse and it is this feature where climbers cannot lose elevation quickly that can cause the demise of tired climbers, especially those who have run out of oxygen.

We only climb on Everest during the spring season because the weather becomes progressively warmer and the days longer. Winter winds have already scoured away much of the snow, which significantly reduces the snow avalanche hazard as well. Contrast this with the autumn. Typically as the expedition goes on, the days get shorter and colder with more snowfall.

Consequently very few expeditions are undertaken in the fall and those that do have quite a low percentage chance of success. By the time you first arrive at Base Camp at the foot of the Khumbu Icefall, a route will already be established with ropes and ladders through to Camp 1.

The following day, you will continue up the more gentle slopes of the Western Cwm to Camp 2 to rest and acclimatise for several more days. During this time the guides and Sherpa climbers will be establishing the higher camps and stocking these with bottled oxygen for the summit climb. The second trip on to the mountain will involve sleeping one night at Camp 3 for acclimatisation before returning to base camp for a rest period. You cannot just decide to write a cheque and go and climb Everest!

A comprehensive climbing resume is required to join our team. Usually, we look for a few minimum requirements such as Denali for the cold and glacier travel experience and Aconcagua for the altitude experience. Beyond that, we look for well-rounded climbers with a wealth of experience.

Summit day experience on an 8,m peak such as Cho Oyu , prior to going to Everest is highly beneficial. Contact the office for further details and to discuss your individual background. What is the Fast Track programme? The itinerary follows a shortened day schedule, rather than the longer day schedule that our standard departure follows. It still requires a large commitment in terms of dedication, determination and discipline, ensuring that you follow a strict pre-acclimatisation programme prior to your arrival in Nepal to ensure your best chance of success.

How long is a typical day on the mountain? It depends on the day and your level of acclimatisation. At the beginning of the trip, everything seems slower and longer, but as you get more adjusted to the mountain, the days go quicker. Average days can be hours long. Summit day can be up to 20 hours long. What sort of hotels do we stay at in the city? We stay at the Radisson Hotel in Kathmandu which features a rooftop swimming pool and on-site dining.

Ideally located in Lazmipat, the hotel is adjacent to the Narayanhiti Palace Museum and is within walking distance of popular attractions including Durbar Marg and Thamel.

Will I be sharing a tent or room with other climbers? Is there a single room option on this trip? You will have your own tent in Base Camp, similar to the one pictured, but on the mountain, you will be sharing a tent with others. We generally book you into a single room in the hotel in Kathmandu whilst it is twin-share in the lodges on the trek into Base Camp.

A single supplement is available and please contact our office for further details. What kind of food do you have on the mountain and at Base Camp? This will depend on what camp we are in. On the mountain we usually have a wide variety of MREs Meals, Ready-to-Eat which are significantly tastier than freeze-dried food, as they are real food vacuum sealed and ready to heat and eat!

We work really hard to make sure our food is second to none. As evidence of this, other companies have tried to steal our master chefs over to their companies!

What is the best way to get to Nepal? From US? From there, Thai Airways fly direct to Kathmandu once a day. When should I book my ticket? Generally, we ask you to wait until 90 days prior to your trip start date to ensure your trip has met the minimum numbers and will operate. If you see a good deal and want to book your flights, then please ensure that you can make changes to your tickets or you run the risk of losing your ticket if we do have to cancel the trip.

In such situations, we are usually able to help you book on to an alternate departure, either with us or another operator. Can I get a cheap ticket online? The problem with these tickets is that you usually end up having to pay quite a lot more if you have to make any changes to your ticket.

We highly recommend using a travel agent for your travel as there are many intricacies that they can help you with. In the long run, they save you money! We use professional travel agents for all our staff and guides' travel bookings. What if I arrive early or depart late? Of course. On a trip as long as this, we request that you arrive in Kathmandu on the assigned date to assure your baggage makes it on time and you have time to recover from jet lag before trekking. It is hard to catch the group if you are arriving late and still waiting for lost baggage!

Many people depart from our Nepal expeditions later so that they enjoy the sights and sounds of Kathmandu, but do keep in mind that this is long expedition and we find that people want to head home as quickly as possible after the climb finishes.

We are happy to help arrange any extra hotel nights that are required. Where do we meet? Will I be picked up? An Adventure Consultants guide or agent will be waiting at Kathmandu Airport to pick you up off your flight on your arrival date. Are there any entry or visa requirements? Yes there are. You can apply online or you can complete the form on the plane as they are handed out on your arrival flight into Kathmandu. Be sure to have the suggested USD amount in cash for your visa application and have a passport photo for your arrival in Kathmandu.

Do you have a recommended list of clothing we should bring? Yes, you will be sent a personal clothing and equipment list once our office has received your trip registration form and deposit. Do I really need all the equipment on the equipment list? Yes, these lists have been carefully prepared.

Please bring everything on the list! How heavy will my pack be? The trip is so long The more comfortable you are, the more energy you have for the climb, so every little thing helps! What altitude medication will be available? All our guides carry extensive medical kits including Diamox, Dexamethasone, Nifedipine and Sildenafil for altitude illness. Some of our bigger expeditions even have their own doctor. Generally, there is no need to take prophylactic altitude medication before or during your expedition but if you have a previous history of altitude illness, then please discuss this with us and your physician.

Also, bring a small first aid kit including a blister kit and mild headache medication for the normal altitude headaches. Is bottled oxygen included? What sort of O2 masks do you use? We use Summit and Topout masks plus regulators for all our Sherpas, guides and climbers. What is the oxygen bottle size? We use 4-litre Poisk bottles, which are the lightest available at 3. What are the benefits of bottled oxygen?

Climbers have reported having better energy levels, a better appetite, more warmth, a higher degree of strength and greater enjoyment on summit day than those without.

They also enjoy a higher rate of success! How many climbers will be on this expedition? We have a maximum of 12 members with 3 guides on our Everest expedition, but we have most often had a group size of around 8 members with 2 guides. This is to ensure we can maintain safety and our attention to detail. There may be more in Base Camp and in the camps on the mountain if there are private expeditions, but they will generally travel separately from the main team.

Can I contact other climbers or guides for this expedition? Yes, we encourage that. Perhaps there is someone in your area that can become a training partner, perhaps they can help you source some hard-to-find gear. We respect the privacy of each team member and check with each person before releasing any contact details. Can my friends and family come along to Base Camp for the expedition? This is one of the best parts of the start of the expedition, having family and friends trek to Base Camp to see you off on your journey.

Base Camp for non-climbers is not a very hospitable place, but we strive to make your guests comfortable and welcome. Guests for the duration of the expedition are allowed on a case by case basis.

The reason for this is simple Contact us for more details. How much should I tip my guide staff? What about the Sherpa staff? This is a difficult thing to gauge.

It is worth remembering that you will have a high degree of contact with some of the Sherpa staff, while others will be working away in the background providing necessary services to keep the expedition running and therefore we feel it is appropriate to include them in the tipping pool. What is the conditioning level needed for this climb?

You should be in the best shape of your life! This is our longest expedition of the year. It requires patience, stamina, mental fortitude, and a strong will. Summit day can sometimes be over 20 hours long! Day by day the challenges are different, but the more prepared you are, both mentally and physically, the smoother your trip will go. Check out our training page for more information on fitness for climbing.

How do you train for a trip like this? Our standard response to this question is that for Everest, you become a climber first, and everything else during this portion of your life comes second. This is the level of dedication to your training, both mental and physical, that you need to have. We have specific ideas around training and great book suggestions to help you along. Please look over our training page for details. If you require more information, please contact our office and we will be happy to put you in touch with one of our senior guides for a consultation and we can also link you with our training coach to design a training programme for you.

What type of communication is available on the expedition? We have one of the most sophisticated communication systems around.

A Wi-Fi connection is available at Base Camp and included in the expedition fee fair-use policy applies. We power all our communications equipment with solar, using generators only as backup. On the mountain, we discourage phone calls as they distract from the climb and we often are limited by our power availability.

If you need a private communications setup, this is also possible for a fee. Contact our office for details. I want to contact my friend or relative, who is on one of your trips, how can I reach them? We send daily internet dispatches , and we receive updates from our guides while they are in the field. The best place to reach a loved one is through our office. Will there be any power source for charging batteries and electronic equipment throughout the expedition? What voltage requirements?

We take solar panels and battery power packs on our expeditions. Our first priority is to charge our computers, satellite phones and expedition electrical equipment. There is usually enough power to then charge your personal electrical equipment. If your equipment has a cigarette lighter type car charger, bring that and you can plug it in to charge. We do NOT recommend bringing rechargeable digital cameras; they tend to run out when power is not available.

Use cameras with replaceable batteries and we recommend lithium batteries. We can cater for special power requirements at an extra cost—please enquire with our office.

Many of the lodges also have power available with typical Asian plugs two horizontal prongs and they have battery recharging systems and pricing on offer. What weather report service do you use?

We receive comprehensive weather forecasts from our Swiss meteorologists which enable us to plan our ascent around favourable weather. Additional meteorological interpretation provided by veteran high altitude guides through our head office in New Zealand helps manage the decision-making process.

What insurance will I need? In addition to evacuation and medical insurance, we recommend that our expedition members buy trip cancellation insurance upon sign up for the expedition. We also highly recommend purchasing a comprehensive travel insurance policy to provide cover for trip interruption, baggage loss, damage or theft, delayed flights or other such incidents that may occur during your trip.

Contact us or see our webpage on expedition insurance advice. Do I need evacuation insurance? Evacuation from the mountain can be expensive and you need to be insured accordingly, as well as having coverage for repatriation and travel medical expenses. Read your policy's fine print to make sure it covers you for mountaineering and helicopter evacuation. Who do you recommend for insurance? You will be sent information specific to your expedition as part of your welcome package and requirements differ depending on where you are travelling and your home location.

What is trip cancellation insurance? Trip cancellation insurance is an option that may allow you to cancel your trip without losing the total cost of the trip. Adventure Consultants highly recommends cancellation insurance for all of our trips. If circumstances cause us to cancel a trip minimum numbers are not reached or travel to a country becomes too dangerous then we refund your fees paid but trip cancellation insurance covers your airfare and any other costs you may have incurred.

How much should I budget for this expedition? How much cash should I plan to bring? This will cover everything from gifts to bottled drinks, tips and anything else that catches your eye on the trail.