Sample Ascent of Mt Everest From Tibet

Arrive Katmandu Airport. Sunny Mountain Guides (SMG) representative will escort you to your hotel. Click here for possible hotels.

Optional tour of Katmandu available for $5.00/day (US).

Meeting with SMG official for briefings on departure, examination of gear, any last minute shopping.


DEPARTURE DATE PREDETERMINED BUT SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

Bus or all-terrain vehicle transport to border town of KODARI.

Border crossing, visa process and customs clearance with Nepali officials.

After crossing the Friendship Bridge into China and clearing customs will spend overnight in ZANGMU. (Click for photos)

After breakfast, departure by 4X4 Landcruisers (4 persons per vehicle) to NYALAM.

2 nights in NYALAM to acclimitize to higher altitude. Short hikes during stay help this process. Opportunity for photographing amazing scenery. Internet access and some entertainment available.

Depart Nyalam for 2 nights in TINGRI. (Click for photos) Optional visit to nearby hot spring for relaxation.

After breakfast, depart to BASE CAMP (BC) with brief stop en route at RONGBUK MONASTERY, a Buddhist shrine.

Arrive BC to be welcomed with a cup of tea in your personal tent. Ourr sherpas and kitchen staff will have arrived in advance to select your tent location and prepare for your stay at BC. Briefings upon arrival.

Early departure from BC to INTERIM CAMP (IC) for an overnight, regardless of weather, en route to ADVANCED BASE CAMP (ABC). Situated on East Rongbuk Glacier moraine, ABC will be where most of the time during the expedition is spent, but climbers are advised to go back to BC for the body’s adjustment to the very high altitude. Over the next days climbs to IC and ABC will help prepare for the approach to the summit. No person can predict how his/her body will react to the thin air so it is difficult to predict how many days are necessary for the acclimatization. These are life and death circumstances which cannot be taken lightly. Personal fitness and weather will determine the schedule. Climbers who rush this process do so at their own peril. The sherpas know the mountain and its quirks. Their advice is critical. SIMPLY PUT: YOU CLIMB WHEN THE MOUNTAIN ALLOWS IT.

All of the detailed planning for a climb will be discussed fully in another communique if you decide to engage SMG to lead your climb. Sherpas and your guide will determine when you ascend through the upper camps toward the summit. My experience and the success of my 5 summits will offer your best opportunity to reach the top. The 2004 and 2005 summits were reached at 4:55 a.m. (Nepali time) and we were able to return to ABC on the same day. This is rare. Several acclimatization trips to C1 and/or C2 are necessary. Departure for summit will take place from 9 PM to 1 AM From the summit it is likely that an overnight at Camp 1 (C1) on the NORTH COL (click for photos), C2 (click for photo), or C3 (click for photo) will be necessary.

MY MAIN CONCERN IS FOR YOUR SAFETY.

Once back at ABC the descent to BC will be as soon as possible.

Departure from BC to be determined, but as quickly as convenient.

Overnight in TINGRI.

Border crossing at ZANGMU.

Optional overnight in TATOPANI with natural hot springs. Highly recommended.

Arrive KATHMANDU at your hotel. Optional celebration party.

SMG escort to KATHMANDU AIRPORT.

It is difficult to convey the beauty and the exhiliration of a climb on Mt Everest in mere words. I look forward to telling you about my experiences on the mountain and showing you my videos. The preparation for such an arduous journey takes many hours of careful planning. Even with the best planning, there are many unknowns and many times when a life or death decision must be made. I know this mountain well. I respect its harsh environment. And I can help you to have the most exciting experience of your life.

NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE OF THE EXPEDITION ARE THE FOLLOWING:

AIRFARE TO AND FROM KATHMANDU.

LODGING AND MEALS IN KATHMANDU.

LAUNDRY, PERSONAL TELEPHONE CALLS OR OTHER PERSONAL EXPENSES.