Climbing Everest is a serious (& expensive) undertaking so you want to ensure you are ready.
A major factor in your success is being sufficiently prepared. If you are unsure whether you have the requisite experience, we can help answer your questions and create a custom progression for you.
Please note, we do not accept beginner climbers on our Everest programs.
Experience Level
You need to be an advanced climber with:
- Altitude experience of at least 7000m (a summit of Aconcagua is sufficient)
- Technical familiarity, confidence and proven experience with cramponing and glacier and fixed line climbing
- Comfortable with exposure and steep rock and ice terrain
- A well rounded resume of climbing experience (please feel free to contact us with your climbing experience to see if it is appropriate)
Physical Training
For success on Everest you need to have a high level of ‘climbing specific fitness’ and aerobic capability and strength. It is vital that your training closely simulates what you will be doing on the mountain. Traditional gym workouts or general fitness plans aren’t targeted enough. You need to emulate long physical days (10hrs +) in the mountains, back to back.
You should:
- Start training specifically for Everest at least 9-12months in advance of departure.
- Have the time to commit to training 5-6 days a week
- Be comfortable hiking 1,500 vertical ft per hour with a 20lb pack.
- Concentrate on High Volume but Low Intensity training
Mindset
Mindset and mental preparation are integral to your success on Everest.
Everest is a sustained and stressful environment for 2 months. Your psychological and emotional state need to be robust and ready to face a multitude of challenges.
While you are training, push yourself so you start to get ‘comfortable with being uncomfortable’.
Whilst training, get to the point you want to quit and picture yourself on the mountain to find the motivation you need to push yourself.
As a base, you need to:
- Be prepared and comfortable being away from home/work for 8-10 weeks
- Have a desire for rugged adventure travel and be adaptable enough to ‘roll with the punches’
- Be prepared to be patient. There is extensive ‘down time’ at Base Camp that can feel monotonous.
- Be open to receiving and deferring to guidance, support and advice from your guides/expedition leaders (even if you are an experienced mountaineer)
- Be able to manage and regulate your stress levels effectively
- Be comfortable having open conversations with your guides
- Be able to work within a team environment and be supportive of fellow team members
- Be humble, respectful and considerate even under pressure
Advice on Training & Specific Coaching
We strongly recommend specialist mountaineering coaching who can help formulate a specific plan for you that is both sustainable to your lifestyle and help keep your training goals on track.
We work with and strongly recommend Uphill Athlete.
Their guidance toward specific, structured, progressive training along with their deep knowledge has contributed to the success of many of our climbers. Your preparation should not be underestimated.