<P> Going with a "celebrity guide", usually a well - known mountaineer typically with decades of climbing experience and perhaps several Everest summits, can cost over £ 100,000 as of 2015 . On the other hand, a limited support service, offering only some meals at base camp and bureaucratic overhead like a permit, can cost as little as US $7,000 as of 2007 . There are issues with the management of guiding firms in Nepal, and one Canadian woman was left begging for help when her guide firm, which she had paid perhaps US $40,000 to, couldn't stop her from dying in 2012 . She ran out of bottled oxygen after climbing for 27 hours straight . Despite decades of concern over inexperienced climbers, neither she nor the guide firm had summited Everest before . The Tibetan / Chinese side has been described as "out of control" due to reports of thefts and threats . By 2015, Nepal was considering requiring that climbers have some experience and wanted to make the mountain safer, and especially increase revenue . One barrier to this is that low - budget firms make money not taking inexperienced climbers to the summit. (subscription required) Those turned away by Western firms can often find another firm willing to take them for a price--that they return home soon after arriving after base camp, or part way up the mountain . Whereas a Western firm will convince those they deem incapable to turn back, other firms simply give people the freedom to choose . </P> <P> Climbing Mount Everest can be a relatively expensive undertaking for climbers . Climbing gear required to reach the summit may cost in excess of US $8,000, and most climbers also use bottled oxygen, which adds around US $3,000 . The permit to enter the Everest area from the south via Nepal costs US $10,000 to US $25,000 per person, depending on the size of the team . The ascent typically starts at one of the two base camps near the mountain, both of which are approximately 100 kilometres (60 mi) from Kathmandu and 300 kilometres (190 mi) from Lhasa (the two nearest cities with major airports). Transferring one's equipment from the airport to the base camp may add as much as US $2,000 . </P> <P> By 2016, most guiding services cost between US $35,000--200,000 . However, the services offered vary widely and it is "buyer beware" when doing deals in Nepal, one of the poorest and least developed countries in the world . Tourism is about four percent of Nepal's economy, but Everest is special in that an Everest porter can make nearly double the nations's average wage in a region in which other sources of income are lacking . </P> <P> Beyond this point, costs may vary widely . It is technically possible to reach the summit with minimal additional expenses, and there are "budget" travel agencies which offer logistical support for such trips . However, this is considered difficult and dangerous (as illustrated by the case of David Sharp). Many climbers hire "full service" guide companies, which provide a wide spectrum of services, including acquisition of permits, transportation to / from base camp, food, tents, fixed ropes, medical assistance while on the mountain, an experienced mountaineer guide, and even personal porters to carry one's backpack and cook one's meals . The cost of such a guide service may range from US $40,000--80,000 per person . Since most equipment is moved by Sherpas, clients of full - service guide companies can often keep their backpack weights under 10 kilograms (22 lb), or hire a Sherpa to carry their backpack for them . By contrast, climbers attempting less commercialised peaks, like Denali, are often expected to carry backpacks over 30 kilograms (66 lb) and, occasionally, to tow a sled with 35 kilograms (77 lb) of gear and food . </P>

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