Mount Everest

Overview

Mount Everest is not for everyone. It's for those who understand that the greatest achievements are earned, not given — and who are willing to spend 55 days working for one of the rarest experiences on Earth. Our expedition is organized in partnership with Namgya Sherpa (Grand Himalaya Treks & Expeditions), one of the most respected Sherpa outfitters in the Khumbu. Together we have built what we believe to be the highest-quality, safest, and most supported private Everest program available. We begin by flying directly by helicopter from Kathmandu to Namche Bazaar (11,286 ft), bypassing the crowded lower Khumbu trail where colds and coughs run rampant. From Namche we trek through the inspiring Sherpa culture of the Khumbu valley — staying in tea houses, acclimatizing daily, and building toward Everest Base Camp (17,552 ft). Along the way we climb Lobuche East (19,980 ft) and Kala Patthar (18,200 ft) as our primary acclimatization peaks. Our Base Camp is first-class. Each climber has their own private tent with a sleeping pad. We share a large, heated dome dining tent with an insulated floor, table, high-back chairs, a full charging station, and WiFi. Our experienced Nepali chef prepares fresh, high-quality meals — from Tibetan bread and Nepali curry to eggs and French toast. Private toilet and shower tents are maintained by our kitchen staff. A medical advisor is on call via satellite phone, and the Himalayan Rescue Association maintains a clinic in camp. On the mountain we establish four camps: Camp I (19,800 ft) above the Khumbu Icefall, Camp II / Advanced Base Camp (21,500 ft) in the Western CWM, Camp III (23,500 ft) on the Lhotse Face, and Camp IV / High Camp (25,900 ft) on the South Col — the Death Zone. We begin supplemental oxygen at Camp III and use high-flow Summit Oxygen systems — the gold standard in high-altitude mountaineering — from Camp IV to the summit and back. Our summit push departs Camp IV along the Southeast Ridge, past the site of the old Hillary Step, to the South Summit and on to the highest point on Earth at 29,035 ft. A typical summit round-trip from Camp IV runs 15–16 hours. We have four climbing Sherpa with proven summit experience, plus IFMGA-certified Western guides, supporting the team throughout. After our summit bid, rather than hiking 5–6 days back through the Khumbu crowds, we fly by helicopter from Base Camp directly to Kathmandu. By that point, you'll be ready for thick air and a cold beer. Todd Passey has guided Everest twice and brings decades of 8,000-meter experience to every client on this expedition.

Highlights

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