Climbing Expeditions

Mt. Everest Expedition

(29,035´) Khumbu Himalaya, Southeast Ridge, Nepal

Days: 68 March 30th-June 6th, 2009

Led by Ryan Waters 

Skill Level:

Advanced

Cost of Trip:

2009 costs $45,000 U.S.

Trip begins in Kathmandu, Nepal

Privately led expedition by Mountain Professionals Everest veteran staff.

Trip Description:

At 29,035 feet (8,850 meters), Mt. Everest is the world’s highest peak and one of the Prized 7 Summits (the highest mountain of each of the continents). The Sherpas call her Chomolangma or Mother Goddess of the Earth. So much history and culture has evolved around Everest that this trip has become the ultimate goal for many mountaineers throughout the world. Join the Mountain Professionals world-class international mountain guides and Everest veterans for a privately organized and led expedition to the world’s most famous mountain. Our trip consists of high western staff to client ratio, 1:1 Sherpa to client ratio, and a team mentality you will not find in lower cost "do it yourself" trips. We feel that this is a huge advantage in your summit chances and you can see that from the statistics of the different products out there.

*We know that there are several options available on Everest and we encourage you to look closely at the inclusions and exclusions of other trips. Find out what the actual final price will be for including things such as a full oxygen setup and 1:1 professional Sherpa support. Many times this is not included in the price and you may or may not have any Professional Western Guide staff with wilderness first aid and rescue experience that have climbed Mt Everest. 

 Your expedition will be organized and led by our highly skilled professional Everest guides and Sherpa staff each with multiple Everest summits. Expedition Leader Ryan Waters has led 10 Himalayan Expeditions that have placed 60 climbers and staff on the summits of 8,000 meter peaks. The 2009 expedition will be his 4th trip to Everest and he has summited from both the Nepal and Tibet sides. 

The Southeast Ridge of Everest, in Nepal is one of the classic routes in the Himalaya. First pioneered by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay in 1953, the route is accessible via the Khumbu Valley, leading to the famous Khumbu Icefall, the Western Cwm and eventually to the beautiful Southeast Ridge. The key to a successful ascent of Mt. Everest is patience, good organization of logistics, perseverance and little luck from the weather.

We feel that being part of a strong team on Everest has great advantages for reaching the summit. Our expeditions, although led by professional mountain guides, has a feeling of relaxed efficiency, with two-way communication between the staff and the team members. We feel there is a huge advantage to joining a small, highly organized group of climbers, led by our staff to manage all the on mountain logistics and risk management. This ensures that you can concentrate on climbing Everest and can rely on the experience of the expedition leader.  

We will meet in Kathmandu, Nepal for our team organization and final preparations. We spend several days in the city to rest, visit local sights, and prepare. We will take a domestic flight to the village of Lukla and begin our 9-day hike to basecamp. Our goal is to reach the 17,000’ basecamp feeling strong and ready to begin the climb.

The route from Base Camp climbs through the Khumbu Icefall to Camp 1 at 19,000’. After sleeping in C1 we return to Base Camp for a rest and begin our planning for the next climb to the higher camps. We return to the upper mountain, bypassing C1 and going directly to Camp 2 at 21,000'. Our C2 location eventually becomes an advanced BC where we maintain a comfortable dome dining tent and permanent cook staff. After sleeping in C2 for several days we return to Base Camp. Our last foray up the mountain for acclimatization brings us to the Lhotse Face and we ascend to 24,000' to Camp 3. This will be our highest sleeping night in preparation for the summit push.

On summit day we climb from the South Col at 26,000' or Camp 4, up through mixed terrain to the Balcony. Here we will take a break and change O2 bottles. We continue to the South Summit and over the Hillary Step. Eventually we reach the most famous of all summits, Everest at 29,035'. 

This is the highest quality expedition you will find for an exceptional price. All the in-country transportation, the on mountain services, food, tents, yaks, oxygen, and guides are included and are of high quality. 

Projected Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrive at Kathmandu Tribuvan International Airport. Our team transports to our home in Nepal, The Hotel Courtyard in Thamel.

Day 2: Relax and enjoy the vibrant city of Kathmandu. Some organization of personal gear and needs.

Day 3: Private team meeting and logistical/gear needs. Team dinner and celebration.

Day 4: Internal Flight to Lukla and trek to Phakding at 8,700'. 

Day 5: Today we hike to the Sherpa town of Namche Bazaar. Here we visit the city and experience the people in the Sherpa Capital at 11,300'.

Day 6: Here we take another day in Namche to carefully acclimatize. We can take a museum tour or trek around the hills of this beautiful location.

Day 7: We will hike along the Dodh Kosi River and eventually make our way through the Rhododendrons to the Tengboche Monestery.

Day 8: Today we hike to Dingboche at 14,000' and view the famous Ama Dablam.

Day 9: We will likely take a rest and acclimatization day here to ensure good health.

Day 10: The trail continues to Dzugla located at 15,000'.

Day 11: We walk along the Mani Stones and climb to the small village of Lobuche at 16,000'.

Day 12: If weather permits we trek to the top of Kala Pattar and get stunning views of Everest, tonight we sleep in Gorak Shep at 17,000'.

 Day 13: We make our way to Everest Base Camp at 17,500'.

Day 14-60: This is our climbing and summit window; we carefully pick the most stable weather and make our attempts sometime mid to late May.

Day 60-66: We have carefully planned in extra time to allow for a late weather window and to take down our camps and pack up. We also travel back to Kathmandu.

Day 67-68: Down time in Kathmandu to celebrate and shop for gifts and enjoy our team celebration dinner.

Price Includes:

• Mountain Professionals Guides
• Expedition permit
• Four nights private accommodation in the Hotel Courtyard Kathmandu
• Full board on twin sharing basis on Trek
• All transportation in Nepal as per itinerary
• Yaks, porters, and guides to and from Base Camp
• Sherpa cooks, kitchen and climbing staff at BC and Camp 2; equipment allowances, daily wages, insurance, and food 
• Carry bonus for Sherpa staff
• Heated and Carpeted- Dining tent, full kitchen, shower and toilet tents, chairs and tables at BC and C2; Esspresso/Coffee and Drinks bar, comfortable BC environment and highest quality food served at Everest
• Imported best US and European food at BC; equipment allowances, daily wages, insurance, food and lodging for Liaison Officer and Interpreter
• Icefall and all route fixing costs
• Group climbing equipment, high altitude tents, stove and fuel; high altitude food imported from the United States, two way radios and VHF BC to mountain communications; full BC satellite phone communication setup 
• 5 bottles of oxygen and use of mask and regulator
• Comprehensive medical supplies and Wilderness EMT/First Responders
• Access to and unlimited consultations to the Himalaya Rescue Assoc. Doctors in Base Camp
• Weather Reports
• 1:1 Nepali Sherpa staff to client ratio

Price Does Not Include:

• International airfare to and from Kathmandu
• Meals in Kathmandu, outside of team dinners before and after expedition
• Drinks, laundry, postage, telephone calls and all other items of personal nature
• Nepal visa and re-entry visa, Kathmandu airport departure tax; personal travel, Trip Cancelation and Rescue Insurance
• Personal climbing clothing and equipment
• Western staff gratuities
• Please contact Mountain Professionals at admin@mtnprofessionals.com

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