![\"Aconcagua](\"http:\/\/www.alanarnette.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/12191606_10153407771443411_1285251672216044433_n-225x169.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nMy belief is that climbing Everest is about the experience, not the summit. I can attest to this after attempting it three times, without a summit, and achieving my goal on the fourth time.<\/p>\n
I firmly believe that anyone attempting Everest should have attempted, and hopefully summited, an 8000 meter mountain. The usual suspects are Cho Oyu and Manaslu or perhaps Gasherbrum II in Pakistan.<\/p>\n
This experience will reveal how your body performs at extreme altitudes – something you will never discover in a climbing gym or an altitude tent.<\/p>\n
But there are many steps required before attempting any 8000 meter mountain.<\/p>\n
In my opinion the\u00a0best path to Everest includes ever climbs\u00a0of increasingly difficulty and higher peaks where you will learn the skills required to have a positive experience on Everest.<\/p>\n
This path may include starting with a climbing school, then a peak like Rainier, Mont Blanc or Tasman in New Zealand. Summiting Kilimanjaro is good but will not provide the experience needed for Everest.<\/p>\n
Skills<\/h3>\n
While Everest from\u00a0either side is not overly technically as compared\u00a0to K2 or Nanga Parbat, the climbing does require advanced climbing\u00a0skills.<\/p>\n For example, on the south side, climbing the Yellow Band, the Southeast Ridge and the Hillary Step require basic rock climbing skills. But don’t be fooled., while you may be a Star on your home crags, everything changes above 20,000 feet.<\/p>\n You need to have your techniques dialed into your muscle memory. You must climb with no thought as to technique other than double checking each anchor and clip into the fixed rope. \u00a0A mistake will cost\u00a0you your life.<\/p>\n The only way to get those ‘muscle memory” skills is thru climbing.<\/p>\n Why do you want\u00a0to summit Mt. Everest? A simple question that many on the mountain struggle to answer. When it is 2:00 am in the dark with temperatures\u00a0at -20F and the winds kicking up to 30 mph, you will ask yourself why.<\/p>\n If you cannot answer yourself in that moment, you are likely to surrender to the elements and retreat to the nearest camp. No shame in this but if you are clear with your motive, you can dig deep\u00a0and go on.<\/p>\n I know many climbers who will return in 2017 after not summiting in previous attempts. Some were caught up in politics, other in the tragic earthquake of 2015 and then some who simply\u00a0were not ready.<\/p>\n For those few, they know why\u00a0they are returning. They are clear and focused – as it should be.<\/p>\n To climb Everest means that you are not in the best shape of your life but in Everest shape. Rock climbers will brag about climbing 5.11c – with a top rope. This means\u00a0little on Everest.<\/p>\n To climb Everest means you have immense stamina, a deep reservoir and metal toughness .<\/p>\n The best way to get in Everest Shape is to climb. A program of ever increasing mountains of altitude and difficulty with qualified guides or teammates is the best program.<\/p>\n It is so easy to give up on Everest, or worse, to push hard when you should turn back and not\u00a0die.<\/p>\n In covering or climbing Everest since 2002, I have seen an alarming trend of novice climbers dieing on the mountain. The low prices and misleading marketing are seducing novice climbers to sign up not knowing what is required.<\/p>\n When you are at 27,000 feet in a blowing wind, struggeling for breath and alone – yes you may be alone – that is the time\u00a0to draw on your experience, training, motivation and metal toughness. AND it may be a good time to turn back.<\/p>\n I know, I turned back three times just below the Balcony at 27, 500 feet before summit on my fourth attempt in 2011 at age 54.<\/p>\n To climb Everest, you must be willing to spend your money. The range is huge from $25,000 to $125,000. You may perk up at the $25,000 price but do not get seduced.<\/p>\n The permit alone is $11,000 for a Nepal climb and $7,000 from Tibet. But that is just the beginning.<\/p>\n Over 97% of all Everest summiteers use supplemental oxygen adding thousands to the price. An ever greater percentage go with a guide company. The gear alone, if you have nothing, will cost over $5,000.<\/p>\n In the end the average cost to climb Everest from the North is around $35,000 and $40,00 from the South. I am updating my\u00a0How Much Does it Cost to Climb Mount Everest?<\/a>\u00a0annual post for the 2017 season.<\/p>\n Climbing Everest is a privilege. It is a right that should be earned.<\/p>\n When you fly into Kathmandu, you may see Everest out your window. It is at the same level as your airplane\u00a0is flying. Let that sink in.<\/p>\n Climbing Everest\u00a0is hard. It tests you in ways you never knew possible. You will understand that several months after you get home – regardless of your\u00a0result<\/p>\n So, yes climbing Mount Everest,\u00a0Chomolungma,\u00a0Sagarmatha or\u00a0Peak XV is life changing. Climb with confidence that you are prepared, knowledgable and with a clear sense\u00a0of purpose.<\/p>\n If you summit, it will change your life. If you attempt it, it will change your life. But no matter the results, the experience is what\u00a0you take away – not the summit.<\/p>\n Research, train, prepare and climb with confidence. The reward is worth the pain. The summit is worth the cost.<\/p>\n Climb On! <\/p>\n If you dream of climbing mountains but are not sure how to start or reach your next level from a Colorado 14er to Rainier, Everest or even K2, I can help.\u00a0Summit Coach<\/a><\/strong> is a consulting service that helps aspiring climbers throughout the world achieve their goals through a personalized set of consulting services based on Alan Arnette\u2019s 20 years of high altitude mountain experience and 30 years as a business executive.<\/p>\n![\"Alpamayo](\"http:\/\/www.alanarnette.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/11057250_10153385485188411_2571550583626696660_o-225x169.jpg\")
<\/a>Many guide services will suggest that climbing Everest is simple and with so many people on the mountain there is little danger and only basic climbing are needed. You should avoid those guides. In 2016, five people\u00a0died on the mountain and most could have been\u00a0prevented.<\/p>\nMotivation<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.alanarnette.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/08\/IMG_1124-225x169.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nPhysical Shape<\/h3>\n
![\"Climbers](\"http:\/\/www.alanarnette.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/11\/everest_2008_442-1-225x169.jpg\")
<\/a>Mental Toughness<\/h3>\n
Cost<\/h3>\n
Summary<\/h3>\n
![\"Lobuche](\"http:\/\/www.alanarnette.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/DSC_3249-225x169.jpg\")
Climbing Everest is not easy. It is not for beginners. It is not to be rushed.<\/p>\n
\nAlan
\nMemories are Everything<\/p>\nSummit Coach<\/a><\/h2>\n
![\"summit](\"http:\/\/www.alanarnette.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/cropped-silverheels_2008_020.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"