Can Beginner Climb Everest?

Mount Everest is the tallest peak in the entire world and rises at an altitude of 8,848.86 (29,031 feet). Although there are a total of 14 peaks that rise over an altitude of 8,000 meters and have different difficulty levels, the Everest expedition is still considered one of the toughest climbs.

So, can a beginner climb Everest is definitely not a sensible question. It is like letting a person fly a plane who has barely any understanding of how to operate or letting a person ride a motorcycle who can’t even properly handle a bicycle. Yes, taking on the highest peak on the entire planet as a beginner is full of risk and challenges.

Even experienced climbers who have significant years of expertise in the field struggle to scale this tallest peak in the world. Mount Everest is also one of the 8,000-meter peaks with a high fatality rate. The death rate during the Everest expedition is approximately 4.4 per year and the number of casualties has been rising every year.

So, it would be foolish to think a beginner with no prior experience dealing with the harsh alpine climate and technical segments on the mountain can scale that tallest peak of them all. 

Challenges of the Everest Expedition

If you are serious about scaling the tallest peak in the world, then you will need to get a good amount of training and develop your physical abilities. But, before climbing the tallest peak of them all, you will also need to gain some climbing experience.

The Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) has also made it a requirement that the climbers need to climb at least 6,500 meters in the Himalayas of Nepal before attempting Everest.

Let’s check out some of the major hurdles that the climbers have to face during the Everest expedition. 

Altitude Sickness

The first major risk in this high-altitude journey is altitude sickness. Studies have shown that the human body starts to develop symptoms related to altitude sickness after ascending to an altitude of 3,000 meters. So, in this expedition where you will reach the highest point of 8,848 meters, the potential risk of altitude sickness is certainly high.

Besides the Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), many of the deaths on the mountain have been caused by severe forms of altitude sickness like High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE) and High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE). If a proper acclimatization process isn’t followed, it can be fatal during the Everest expedition.

Extreme Weather

You may know that the Himalayan region has a climatic zone of its own and it can be unpredictable at times. Thus, while scaling the tallest peak in the world, climbers have to struggle with unfavorable climatic phenomena quite constantly.

Besides the unpredictable weather, the freezing climate on the slope, high winds, and sudden temperature drops which expose climbers to the risk of frostbite and hypothermia are other major challenges to look out for. In the worst-case scenario, climbers have to struggle with strong blizzards that are often at higher altitudes.

Death Zone

You might have already learned about the death zone, the deadly section of the mountains above 8,000 meters with low oxygen saturation levels. Naturally, the tallest mountain in the world also has the largest death zone the climbers need to pass through.

The oxygen saturation level inside the death zone on Everest is just 21%. This is such a critical condition staying here too long can be fatal. Climbers are not recommended to stay more than 18 to 20 hours and it is almost impossible to pass through this area without supplementary oxygen.

If you are wondering how deadly this death zone actually is, picture this, the majority of the deaths that have occurred on Everest slope were inside this death zone.

Avalanches

Avalanches are one of the leading causes of death on Everest. The straightforward slope of the highest peak on the planet has a high risk of avalanches. The avalanches can be so sudden that the climbers will not have sufficient period to find shelter.

These deadly phenomena can be triggered by the weather, natural movement of the ice and snow, or the climbers who are scaling the mountain. The avalanches can be so deadly that they can wipe out an entire camping site on the mountain. Furthermore, as the snow covers the climber with tons of ice, it can also make the rescue operation extremely difficult.

Helicopters cannot land on Everest above Camp II (6,400 meters) and rescue operations above this point have to be carried out using ropes. 

Exhaustion

Climbing Everest is a very long expedition, climbers have to spend about 2 months on the mountain slope before pushing for the summit. So, what happens is that during this climbing period, the climbers will ascend and descend along the high camps to acclimatize properly.

When all of the climbers acclimatize properly gradually heading toward the higher camps, then the summit push takes place. So, imagine spending two months on a slope where you will have to eat and sleep in the alpine climate.

The lack of a balanced diet and rest can lead to exhaustion if the climbers are not careful. Among other scaling along the high camps, the summit push is the longest in this expedition which will last about 6 to 9 hours during the summit push day from Camp IV (7,950 meters). 

So, including the return journey, it is a long trip inside the death zone. There have been climbers who did successfully summit the mountain however, during the return journey fell on the slopes giving in to exhaustion.

Physical and Mental Train

Taking on a two-month-long expedition is not an easy task. Not only it is physically challenging but it also has mental strains that can take a toll on the climbers. After two months of nothing but a white-spread sea of snow and trying to keep yourself comfortable on the alpine slope, only climbers with strong will and determination can push through.

Furthermore, the plans always don’t sail smoothly, climbers have to struggle with weather challenges and other inconveniences during their long expeditions. Similarly, the Everest expedition is a physically vexing journey that requires a top level of fitness.

So, in order to make the expedition a little more comfortable, climbers need to have a good amount of physical strength and should be mentally prepared for the journey to stay composed no matter what challenge the mountain throws. 

Inaccessibility

You might know about this and even may have read an article related to this, there isn’t proper accessibility on the mountain in case of emergencies. As the helicopter cannot operate at such a significant elevation, there isn’t a proper route for the rescue operation.

The maximum altitude the helicopter flight can reach is Camp II and they can only initiate rope rescue above that section. So, what it means is that if there are any mishaps and accidents on the slope and you will need emergency care, then you are on your own. 

Due to the significant altitude of a peak, treacherous slopes, and the existence of the longest death zone, trying to help others means that you are putting your life on the line. So, you may have heard about the climbers leaving fellow members behind on the slope.

Thus, due to this factor, even a mishap could be fatal if not careful. 

Can Beginner Climb to Everest Base Camp?

Although can beginner climb of Everest might not be the most appropriate question in the mountaineering world, can beginner climb to Everest Base Camp does have a pleasant answer. The Eastern Himalayan region in Nepal houses the tallest peak on the planet, Mount Everest. Although scaling it might not be everyone’s cup of tea, the Everest Base Camp Trek is another popular adventure in the region.

For climbers who cannot push all the way to the summit of Everest, this base camp adventure to its foothills is the most feasible option. The trekkers will still be able to relish the magical Himalayan atmosphere beneath the giant peaks even if they cannot make it all the way to the top.

So, moving toward the direction of the question, yes, even a beginner can climb Everest Base Camp. This is the most popular base camp trek in Nepal and Everest region is a mainstream destination that sees hundreds of trekkers every year. 

The maximum altitude point in this trek is the base camp itself which is situated at an altitude of 5,364 meters. If you want to hike to the popular viewpoint in the region, then, the maximum elevation becomes 5,644 meters. Unlike climbing the peak itself, this base camp journey is mild and even a beginner can take part in it.

But, make sure to make enough preparation before the trek. Even if the journey isn’t as vexing as the Everest expedition, you will reach a significant elevation point and will traverse the challenging steep sections of the mountain. So, a good amount of preparation will ensure a safe and enjoyable journey.