Year: 2026

With the Everest 2026 season about six weeks away, the rumor mill is on fire, out of control. With the explosion of social media influencers and mainstream (and many outdoor/adventurous media) using seductive, misleading headlines to drive revenue, i.e., clickbait, for the regular person who usually reads the headline, first paragraph, and skims the rest, misinformation abounds. 

Of course, this is not new in mountaineering, as shown by the massively inaccurate media coverage of the October 2025 blizzards in Tibet that stranded hundreds of tourists hiking in an area near Everest, which was widely reported as “One dead in Qinghai, hundreds still trapped on Mt Everest slopes in Tibet due to blizzard.”

The media with the most incorrect headlines include Asian, Southeast Asian, Western mainstream, and Nepalese-based websites, as well as Reddit, YouTube, Facebook, X, and Instagram. Let’s look at a few of these rumors and try to set the record straight (not that I’m 100% perfect myself!) #everest2026

Welcome to my ongoing Everest 2026 coverage! 2026 marks my 23rd year covering all things Everest. If you’re a long-time reader, welcome back; if you’re new here, thank you for joining me. How Much Does It Cost to Climb Everest?– 2026 Edition is an exhaustive review of pricing and policies related to Everest mountaineering.

This post is based on publicly available information from Guide companies’ websites or direct contact with over fifty companies when prices weren’t listed. Prices typically but not always include logistics, gear, food, a Sherpa, oxygen, a mask, and a regulator. The list is not exhaustive and does not imply endorsement.

Prices shown reflect either the only option or the base rate. Some Nepalese companies no longer publish prices because of the number of options and the need for direct contact. Estimated prices for 2026 are based on previous data; accuracy isn’t guaranteed—please check with the Guide directly. #everest2026

Welcome to my ongoing Everest 2026 coverage! 2026 marks my 23rd year covering all things Everest. If you’re a long-time reader, welcome back. If you’re new here, thanks for joining me. Everest by the Numbers: 2026 Edition is an exhaustive review of data and statistics around Everest mountaineering. #everest2026

Welcome to the kick-off for my Everest 2026 coverage, my 23rd year covering all things Everest. If you’re a long-time reader, welcome back. If you’re new here, thanks for joining me.

I summited Everest on May 21, 2011, and have climbed on the mountain three other times (all from the Nepalese side): 2002, 2003, and 2008. On these attempts, I reached just below the Balcony around 27,500 feet (8400 meters) before health, weather, or my judgment caused me to turn back. I also attempted Lhotse in 2015 and 2016.

Although the climbing season is still a few months away, I’ll publish several big-picture articles before activity ramps up in early April. Once the season begins in early April, updates become more frequent and intensify during the summit pushes of mid-to-late May. You can sign up for (or cancel) email notifications in the lower-right sidebar, or simply check the site regularly. #everest2026