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Each year Nepal earns about $3.5 million on Everest climbing fees, according to the Associated Press. Those looking to scale the mountain pay anywhere from $25,000 to $75,000, depending on several factors, such as desired creature comforts, the amount of bottled oxygen they take, and who carries it up the mountain. "The more minimal the cost, the more the climber is presumed to be on his or her own," writes Salisbury via e-mail. One climber broke down the costs for Time magazine (not including airfare): $8,000 for training, $10,000 for gear, $35,000 to $100,000 for the climb. Extras such as cell phone calls and tipping Sherpas add another $2,000 to $4000. If this year's season is canceled, many will forfeit most or all of their payments, according to the AP.
Little of that Everest money goes to the Sherpas (or other guides), 400 to 600 of whom work above base camp each year. "Depending on their talent, experience, foreign-language skills, how many loads they carry up and down the mountain, and how generously they're tipped by their clients, climbing Sherpas generally take home between two and eight thousand dollars at the conclusion of an Everest expedition, which commences for them in late March and typically ends around the first of June," writes author and Everest veteran Jon Krakauer in his recent New Yorker post, "Death and Anger on Everest...
Little of that Everest money goes to the Sherpas (or other guides), 400 to 600 of whom work above base camp each year. "Depending on their talent, experience, foreign-language skills, how many loads they carry up and down the mountain, and how generously they're tipped by their clients, climbing Sherpas generally take home between two and eight thousand dollars at the conclusion of an Everest expedition, which commences for them in late March and typically ends around the first of June," writes author and Everest veteran Jon Krakauer in his recent New Yorker post, "Death and Anger on Everest...
