If you’re not ready to drop a year’s salary, start small. Climb Kilimanjaro first—it’s about $3,500 and doesn’t require oxygen. Or train for a 6,000-meter peak like Island Peak in Nepal—that’s $2,000 and gives you high-altitude bragging rights. Slowly build your bank account and your lung capacity.
Also, consider crowdfunding. Yes, people actually do it. Create a compelling story (“I’m raising awareness for climate change—and my lack of gym motivation”) and you might score a few grand. Just be ready for the eye rolls from your friends who still owe you for dinner.
The Cultural Twist: What the Locals Think
Every climber dreams of the summit, but the people who live in the Khumbu Valley see the mountain as Sagarmatha—the Goddess of the Sky. Before you go, spend a day in a teahouse in Lukla. Drink butter tea with a Sherpa family. They’ll tell you stories of climbers who spent $100,000 and never made it past Base Camp. Money can buy you a permit, but it can’t buy you the mountain’s favor.
