How Hard Is It to Climb Mount Everest? One Brit’s Guide

Mount Everest stands at 8,848 metres. That’s a big number. It means oxygen gets very thin at the top. Many climbers want to reach the summit, but few succeed. It’s not just about strength. It’s a test of patience, grit, and careful planning. Below is a full look at what makes climbing Everest so tough. Ever thought about going high? Read on and see what really happens.

1. It Can Take Months of Preparation

If you’ve watched Everest expeditions, you might think it’s all about being tough. And yes, that matters. But first, you need training.

Months before the trip starts with building strength. Climbers will walk hills carrying heavy rucksacks. They lift weights and do lung exercises. At high altitude, your heart works harder. Your muscles burn faster. So, climbing training covers all of that.

And then there’s gear. You need good boots, a down suit, high-altitude boots, gloves, goggles… The list goes on. Each thing costs money and takes time to test. You don’t want to reach base camp and find your boots don’t fit.

2. Base Camp: Just the Start

Most climbers fly into Kathmandu, Nepal. Then it’s a drive and a long trek to base camp on the Nepal side. That walk takes a week or two. It’s at about 5,364 metres. Nothing near the summit, but still high.

At base camp, everyone gets to know each other. There are teams of climbers, guides called Sherpas, cooks, and support staff. It’s fun but also a serious place. People rest, learn about the mountain, and sort gear. It gets real here.

3. Acclimatisation: Going Up and Down

You can’t climb straight to the summit. You need to adapt to a higher altitude slowly. Climbers trek up to Camp 1 or 2, stay a few days, then come down.

This up-and-down rhythm happens more than once. It helps your body produce extra red blood cells. It makes breathing easier when oxygen is low. But it’s tiring. You carry the same pack, battle cold, and move slowly.

A wrong step here and the whole climb can fail. Altitude sickness can hit hard—headache, nausea, confusion. Guides are strict about returning to lower camps if signs appear. You’re not conquering the mountain. You’re respecting it.

4. Weather Makes or Breaks You

Mount Everest has two main climbing windows—late April to early June, and September. That’s when the jet stream lifts offshore and the wind falls away.

Even so, the weather can change fast. Snow comes, wind picks up, and visibility drops. Climbers wait on sunny days at base camp and high camps. They cross their fingers and watch forecasts closely.

Many attempts fail not because someone isn’t fit. They fail because the weather went bad. Waiting 4–7 days at high camp for perfect weather is normal. Supplies run low. Cold seeps in. It becomes a mental challenge too.

5. The Climbing Route Is Serious

Most people use the South Col route on the Nepal side. It starts with a rocky path called the Khumbu Icefall. Blocks of ice shift and fall. Guides (called “icefall doctors”) fix ladders and ropes. But it’s still dangerous.

Then comes the Western Cwm. A flat valley that gets baking hot in the morning sun, but frozen at night. Climbers cross this to reach Camp 2, at 6,400 metres.

The next part is Lhotse Face—a steep sheet of ice. Climbers use ropes for support. They reach Camp 3 at 7,200 metres. Then Camp 4 at 7,900 metres. That’s the Death Zone.

6. The Death Zone Is No Joke

Above 8,000 metres, your body can’t recover. It breaks down faster than it repairs itself. You breathe extra oxygen from bottles to survive. Sleep hardly happens.

Storms here are brutal. Winds layer ice on your gear. Every step takes effort. People’s voices get soft. Their skin gets pale. The summit still lies ahead.

7. Summit Night: The Final Push

Climbers start from Camp 4 between midnight and 3 am. It’s pitch black. Temperatures dip to -30 °C or lower. They have head torches on and move in a line, clipped to the fixed ropes.

It takes 8–12 hours to reach the top. Along the way, climbers pass the Balcony, South Summit, and the Hillary Step. All are steep, sometimes icy. You feel every breath and every step.

Reaching 8,848 metres brings a short moment of triumph. They grab the Nepalese flag or snap a quick photo. Then they must head back—fast. The summit party doesn’t last long. Falling asleep here means trouble.

8. The Descent: The Toughest Part

Many climbers focus only on reaching the top. But coming down is harder. You’re tired. You’re cold. Legs shake. Oxygen runs low.

Climbing ropes can freeze. Paths turn slick. Every step risks a fall. Most injuries and deaths happen on the way down. It takes equal care and focus to retreat safely. Many climbers camp again at higher levels. They don’t try to come down in one push.

9. Success Rates and Risks

Everest sees hundreds of attempts yearly. Roughly 60% succeed. That means 40% turn back, or face trouble. The death rate is under 1% for guided climbs. Still, people die. Falls, avalanches, exposure, and health issues.

It’s a serious venture with serious risks.

10. Why People Still Go

Astronauts, soldiers, and adventurers say Everest changes you. It demands all your skills. It tests your limits. Reaching the summit brings relief, pride, and awe.

But many say the real reward was the team, the challenge, and the mountain’s raw power. That end moment is just part of it.

Final Thoughts

Is Everest hard? Very. You need fitness, money, time, mental strength, and luck. Months of prep, weeks on the mountain, and one narrow weather window decide the fate.

But if you train, listen to your guides, and respect the mountain, reaching the summit is possible. It’s one of the toughest adventures on Earth. Few people do it. And even fewer come back with no scars—physical or mental.

If you’ve ever thought about Everest, now you know what it involves. It’s not just climbing. It’s proving to yourself what you’re capable of. And that’s a rare thing.