How Long to Climb Mount Everest

Mount Everest, the world’s tallest mountain, conjures images of adventure, glaciers, superhuman mountain guides and Sherpas, and majestic views. But how long does it take to climb Mount Everest, and how much fitness is needed to undertake an expedition to Mount Everest? We’ve researched for you and outlined what it takes to climb Mount Everest and how important logistics and physiology are to reach the summit.

Climbing Mount Everest is a major undertaking, not just from a pure mountaineering standpoint. The logistics required, remoteness of the location, mountaineering-specific training, and physical requirements for acclimation all contribute to a lengthy expedition. While climbing a mountain such as Denali (with a peak of 20,310ft) might take around 3-4 weeks, the average expedition to summit Mount Everest takes two months.

Preparing for The Climb – 1 Week

Before setting foot on Everest, climbers begin their journey in the bustling city of Kathmandu, Nepal. Here, they navigate the administrative procedures, acquire necessary permits, and meticulously gather the gear to accompany them on their odyssey. This phase typically takes about one week.

Acclimatization – 3 to 4 Weeks

Upon reaching Everest Base Camp, climbers have to get acclimatized. Spending several weeks in this austere environment, they undertake a series of climbs to nearby peaks. These excursions help their bodies adjust to the thin air, reducing the risk of altitude-related illnesses. This phase can last approximately three to four weeks.

Establishing Camps and Fixing the Route – Ascent in Stages 2 to 3 Weeks

To facilitate the challenging ascent, climbing teams establish camps along the route. These camps act as stepping stones, providing much-needed rest and shelter amidst the extreme conditions. Meanwhile, Sherpa climbers bravely scale the treacherous terrain, fixing ropes and ladders, to ensure a safer passage for the hikers. Sherpas, a Nepalese ethnic group, are renowned for their rich culture, superior climbing skills, and extreme endurance for high altitudes, making them invaluable guides and porters for tourists visiting the area. This phase can take around two to three weeks.

Summit Push – The Final Ascent – 12 to 20 Hours

The pinnacle of the Everest expedition lies in the final summit push. After weeks of preparation, climbers embark on a grueling journey from the last camp, Camp 4. Commencing late in the evening or early morning, they navigate through the darkness and biting cold. The final ascent can last between 12-20 hours or more, where every step forward is a testament to the indomitable spirit and unwavering resolve of the hikers.

Scaling Mount Everest is not a conquest for the faint of heart. In total, it take about 7 to 9 weeks to complete the climb, it also demands meticulous planning, rigorous training, and a profound respect for the forces of nature. Mount Everest is infamously known for housing over 200 dead bodies frozen in the cold. It is very important to plan adequately, as well as work in groups to increase your chances of survival.

WHY DOES IT TAKE SO LONG TO CLIMB MOUNT EVEREST?

The main reason climbing Everest takes so long for most people is acclimatization, the process of adapting to high altitude, low oxygen environments.

To put things in perspective, the South Base Camp in Nepal sits at an elevation of 17,598ft (5,364m), and the North Base Camp on the Tibetan side sits at 16,900ft (5,150m). The vast majority of the world’s population lives well below what is considered, physiologically, moderate elevation (5000-8000ft, 1524-2438m), and for many people going up to 11,000ft – 14,000ft (3352-4267m) can be a physically challenging experience.

ACCLIMATIZATION AND ISSUES WITH PROLONGED ALTITUDE EXPOSURE

We know that steady acclimatization and ascending no more than a few thousand feet per day are good preventative measures, and bouncing between the camps makes even more sense. Failure to properly acclimate can lead to two main forms of acute altitude sickness, sometimes also called “mountain sickness”, which are High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) and High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE). While the mechanisms are slightly different, both are due to a low-oxygen environment that causes lung or brain swelling. In both cases, there is only one effective cure: descent. Acute altitude sickness can affect people very differently.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE ACCLIMATIZE?

The two main responses in our bodies when reaching higher altitudes are:

Hyperventilation (breathing more rapidly)

Increased blood flow

First and foremost, our bodies care about survival, and at altitude, they will focus on getting more O2 into the blood, then that blood more quickly to organs and muscles. As you spend more time at a high altitude, you will see deeper changes to your physiology, which your Everest expedition guides are trying to develop before making a summit bid. A corresponding decrease in blood plasma and increase in hemoglobin, increased mitochondrial density, more aerobic enzymes, and a higher number of red blood cells are a few of these deeper adaptations, all of which are based on getting O2 in and using it more effectively.

CONCLUSION

Putting it all together, between what’s happening on the mountain and inside your body, the answer to the question “how long does it take to climb Mount Everest” can vary, but it can’t be rushed. The two months required to climb Mount Everest, including the trek to base camp, acclimation, and 5-6 days spent making the final summit push, should all be aided by a pre-existing high fitness level.

The more time you can devote to adapting to this extreme environment, the better you are likely to feel and perform, but no one can just muscle themselves to the summit. Proper preparation, including developing a strong aerobic base, muscular endurance, and maximal strength, represents the foundations of any successful summit bid. Given the time it takes to climb Mount Everest, choosing the proper training plan with the appropriate lead time is crucial.