Everest 2025: Welcome to Everest 2025 Coverage
Welcome to the kick-off for my Everest 2025 coverage! 2025 will be my 25th season of all things Everest: 19 times providing coverage, another four seasons of climbing on Everest, and two years attempting Lhotse.
I summited Everest on May 21, 2011, and have climbed on it three other times (all from Nepal) – 2002, 2003, and 2008, each time reaching just below the Balcony around 27,500′ (8400 meters) before health, weather or my judgment caused me to turn back.
I attempted Lhotse in 2015 and 2016. When not climbing, I cover the Everest season from my home in Colorado as I did in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and now the 2025 season. In 2020, when both sides of the mountain were closed due to COVID, I did a virtual series, Virtual Everest 2020 – Support the Climbing Sherpas, to raise money for the out-of-work Sherpa community working with nine commercial guiding companies.
If you are one of my millions of regular readers, hello again; if you are new, welcome! I aim to provide insight and analyze the activity without favorites or agendas. I write my posts using sources from the mountain, public information, and my experiences.
I often post as the season starts in early April and ramps up during the intense summit pushes in mid-to-late May. I spend several hours a day creating these updates. You can sign up for (and cancel) email notifications on the lower right sidebar or check the site frequently.
As of this post, the Icefall Doctors have arrived at Everest Base Camp on the Nepal side to begin setting the fixed lines from EBC to Camp 2. After that, one of the commercial teams, 8K Expeditions, will fix the route to the summit, opening it to all climbers on the mountain. The Tibet side usually lags behind Nepal, with teams arriving later. The climb on that side is slightly shorter due to higher camps.
The climbing headline is we can expect a couple of interesting climbs, like speed climbs or using Nobel gases to shorten the expedition length. Also, more experiments with oxygen delivery systems might be conducted, such as using a nasal cannula or a lightweight tube with prongs that fit inside the nostrils instead of a full face mask, especially while sleeping above Camp 2 or the North Col. Overall, 99% of activity will be traditional commercial teams guide clients on the two commercial routes.
The financial headline for 2025 is that prices continue to increase for all Western and some Nepali operators on the Nepal side and stay flat or slightly lower for most Tibetan-side operators. The increases are due to inflation, labor wage increases, higher pay for Sherpas with IFMGA certification, more Nepalese regulations around minimum salaries and insurance, and a strong client demand environment.
#everest2025
Everest 2025: Nepal New Rules- Some Good, Some Not
In an admirable effort to reduce deaths and save lives on Everest, the Nepal government has implemented two additional rules for the upcoming 2025 Spring season. One is a great idea, but the other is not so great. However, the efforts still lag the magnitude of the problems.
Instead of enacting rules to minimize missing climbers and deaths, Nepal adds regulations to aid in body recovery. This is analogous to having a busy traffic intersection where countless crashes occur. The city decided the best action would be to pre-place ambulances and tow trucks instead of enhancing traffic signals.
Remember that 23 of the 26 Everest deaths in 2023 and 2024 were climbing, with companies charging less than the median price. Four of the 26 deaths were classified as “missing” by the Himalayan Database. All were between 8334 and 8848 meters.
Why do I continue to write about this? Please continue reading to see the impact on one family whose grief could have been slightly reduced through more transparent communications and legitimate regulations. #everest2025
Podcast with Jost Kobusch’s Winter 2024/25 Everest West Ridge Record Climb
German Alpinist Jost Kobusch is back home after accomplishing his objective of a winter, solo, no-O’s climb to tag over 7500 meters on Everest’s West Ridge. In this podcast, we go into deep detail on his climb. If you are a climber, explorer or sour on the entire Everest scene, this is for you. #everest2025
Everest 2025: Climb Everest in a Week using xenon gas – update 2
Some foreign guides and a few Nepali guides offer fast Everest climbs, lasting two to four weeks instead of the traditional six to eight weeks. This is an increasingly popular option, and a new twist promises to reduce this to just one week, from home to home.. #Everest2025
How Much Does it Cost to Climb Everest? – 2025 Edition
This post goes in-depth on your options and risks and provides an overview of the financial aspects of climbing Everest from either Nepal or Tibet. As we get closer to Everest 2025, I’ve updated my annual post, “How Much Does It Cost to Climb Mount Everest?” As I’ve said for years, the short answer is a car. Most people pay between $40,000 and $60,000, and some will pay as much as $200,000! Operators now compete either on price or luxuries and technologies. #everest2025
Comparing the Routes of Everest – 2025 edition
This another BIg Picture post before my annual coverage of Everest 2025. The season is still a few months away, and I’ll be posting several updates before the season officially begins in early April:
– Everest by the Numbers: 2025 Edition – A deep dive into Everest statistics as compiled by the Himalayan Database (posted December 16, 2024)
– Comparing the Routes of Everest: 2025 Edition – A detailed look at Everest’s commercial, standard and non-standard routes. (posted December 19, 2024)
– How Much Does it Cost to Climb Everest: 2025 Edition – My annual review of what it costs to climb Everest, solo, unsupported and guided.
– Everest 2025: Welcome to Everest 2025 Coverage – an introduction to the Everest 2025 Spring season.
2025 will be my 25th season of all things Everest: 19 times providing coverage, another four seasons of climbing on Everest, and two years attempting Lhotse.
This is an updated post of my annual “Comparing the Routes of Everest ” blog post. For 98% of all Everest climbers, the choice of routes is the Northeast (Tibet) and Southeast (Nepal) Ridges. For today’s commercial clients, all other routes are too dangerous, complicated, and not commercially guided. This post will examine the various routes and explore the most popular commercial through 2024.
Why do I do this? Well, one word: Alzheimer’s. I lost my mom, Ida, and four aunts to this disease, which changed my life forever. You can read more at this link. I hope you enjoy my coverage and donate to any of my selected non-profit partners or your preference as a tangible thank you. Of course, I never benefit financially from your donations. Just click on the button, which is always at the top right sidebar. #everest2025
Everest by the Numbers: 2025 Edition
Welcome to Everest 2025. The season is still a few months away, and I’ll be posting several Everest 2025 big-picture updates before the season officially begin in early April:
– Everest by the Numbers: 2025 Edition – A deep dive into Everest statistics as compiled by the Himalayan Database
– Comparing the Routes of Everest: 2025 Edition – A detailed look at Everest’s routes, commercial, standard and non-standard.
– How Much Does it Cost to Climb Everest: 2025 Edition – My annual review of what it costs to climb Everest, solo, unsupported and guided.
– Everest 2025: Welcome to Everest 2025 Coverage – an introduction to the Everest 2025 Spring season.
2025 will be my 25th season of all things Everest: 19 times providing coverage, another four seasons of climbing on Everest, and two years attempting Lhotse.
I’ve updated my annual “Everest by the Numbers” blog post. I looked at summit and death rates, the use of oxygen and its impact on summits and deaths, and disturbing trends like the increasing support for climb. I hope this is useful for everyone.
Why do I do this? Well, one word: Alzheimer’s. I lost my mom, Ida, and four aunts to this disease, which changed my life forever. You can read more at this link. I hope you enjoy my coverage and donate to any of my selected non-profit partners or your preference as a tangible thank you. Of course, I never benefit financially from your donations. Just click on this button, which is always at the top right sidebar. #everest2025
Everest 2024 Podcast: Ryan Mitchell on his Everest Summit–”Life Changing”
Massachusetts native 19-year-old Ryan Mitchell summited Mt. Everest on May 23, 2024! This extensive podcast discusses his experience from training to the summit and back home.
Ryan, a Summit Coach client, contacted me about a year ago, wanting advice and coaching on how to climb Everest in the Spring of 2022. He had little to no experience, so while I told him many companies would take his money and have him on Everest, the best approach would be to wait at least a year and gain the skills and experience it would take to make a safe attempt on the world’s highest peak. He agreed, and we’ve worked together for the past year.
In this podcast, Ryan explains how he funds his climbs, training approach, and “why.” We cover a lot of topics, including:
1:22 – Was it hard? Was it fun?
2:50 – How did you train to get the required experience?
8:33 – What part of your training meant the most once on Everest?
11:35 – You created a YouTube series documenting each day of the expedition.
12:13 – What cameras did you use, and how did you keep the batteries warm?
18:50 – What other gear did well for you, like the down suit from Himali and your La Sportiva 8000-meter boots?
20:11 – Discuss the trek from Lukla to Everest Base Camp
21:32 – Did video logging distract you from the overall experience?
23:12 – Describe arriving at EBC and meeting the Sherpas for the first time.
26:10 – How was climbing through the Icefall?
31:41 – How hot was the Western Cwm?
33:00 – Did you ever get sick?
34:45 – What were the climbing conditions on the Lhotse Face?
40:10 – Did you experience severe crowding on Everest?
41:42 – Describe the good and bad at the South Col.
48:50 – Walk us through the Summit push.
53:46 – Sunrise from Everest
56:07 – How was the Hillary Step?
59:10 – Seeing dead bodies
1:01:25 – What emotions did you feel on the summit?
1:06:36 – You had a fast climb back to C2. Why so fast?
1:09:30 – Were you happy when you finished your last trip through the icefall?
1:13:03 – How did it feel to arrive back home?
1:15:55 – What are one or two words or phrases describing your Everest journey?
1:17:30 – What’s next?
I know you will enjoy this.
#everest2024
#everest2024
Everest 2024: Interview with Uphill Athlete’s Founder Steve House
You know you’ve made your name in the climbing world when Reinhold Messner calls you “the best high-altitude climber in the world.” Today, Steve runs one of the most successful broad-based coaching services. Uphill Athlete, founded by Steve House and Scott Johnston in 2014, has become synonymous with all things mountain sports, from trail running and mountaineering to ski racing. I caught up with Steve for a wide-ranging Podcast.
Everest 2024: Interview with Will Cockrell on his new book–Everest, Inc.
In 2024, Everest has become completely commercialized. Shock, right? Well, Will Cockrell’s new book, Everest, Inc: The Renegades and Rogues Who Built an Industry at the Top of the World, tells us how it happened. If you love Everest, despise it or don’t really care, this book has something for everyone. #everest2024