How Much Does it Cost to Climb Mount Everest? – 2017 Edition
“How much does it cost to climb Mount Everest?” This is a popular question I get after a speaking engagement. The short answer is a car or at least $30,000 but most people pay about $45,000. This completely new 2017 post introduces new options for climbers, a look at new rules, a chart of current offers and serious answers to […]
Everest Winter, No O’s Attempt!
A huge program has been announced by Alex Txikon who may be one of the few climbers on the planet qualified to attempt climbing Everest in the winter without supplemental oxygen. He and teammates, Simone Moro and Muhammad Ali Sadpara knocked off Nanga Parbat last winter leaving on K2 as the last 8000er without a winter summit. An […]
I Want to Climb Mt. Everest
“I Want to Climb Mt. Everest” is one of the top hits I get for my website and in emails. I understand. In this post, I will cover what it takes and a path to get there, with the disclaimer that there are many paths to reach any destination. I will cover the cost at […]
Gear: winter Layers
With winter about to launch in full, and the upper United States experiencing an Arctic cold wave, I thought now is a good time to review some thoughts on how to layer for those winter climbs. I just got back home from a great summit climb on Mt. Washington in New Hampshire at 6,289 feet. […]
Sherpa Death on Ama Dablam
Sad news from Nepal’s Ama Dablam. A relatively small earthquake, 5.4 in magnitude centered near Namche Bazaar, triggered the release of a few ice blocks that struck and killed climbing Sherpa, Lakpa Thundu Sherpa, a permanent resident of Pangboche, Solukhumbu district. He was supporting British climber, Ciaran Hill who was injured by the falling ice. They […]
Happy Thanksgiving
Happy Thanksgiving to all my friends who are celebrating this American holiday. This year, 2016, is a bit special for some happy and sad reasons. Living in Colorado, late November sees bare trees and usually snow on the ground. But this year, the ground is as bare as the tree branches. It has been warm […]
China to Make Everest Base Camp Into Tourist Destination
For as long as Everest has been climbed, there has been a competition between China and Nepal. Now with China’s recent announcement of building a “mountaineering center” near Everest base camp, climbing Everest from Tibet will have little to do with climbing and more to do with tourism. Please keep this fact in mind as you read my thoughts: […]
The State of Everest: A Conversation with Dave Hahn
With only six months to go before climbers head to Nepal and Tibet for the annual spring climb of Mt. Everest, Dave Hahn, 15 times summiter, was kind enough to share his thoughts on the state of Everest and his own personal plans for guiding. Dave Hahn One reason I wanted to catch up with […]
Encouraging Alzheimer’s News
I spoke at an Alzheimer’s conference last week and had a chance to listen to expert speakers on the latest research news. I am encouraged. While much of this has been announced piecemeal over the past few months, this is a recap for those not following the daily updates. Funding UP! First up is that the US Government […]
A New US President
For my US Followers: Your choice of President not winning is not the end of the world even if it does not align with your values or beliefs. Similarly, your candidate winning does not endorse your judgment as infallible. I am old enough to remember when Reagan was elected and Democrats thought the lack of […]