Climbing Mount Everest for me would be like a dream come true, it surely must be a great experience to climb it and see the world from above, just think of them fantastic views on the way up!

But theres a problem, I’ve never really done any professional rock climbing before so I would have to learn rock climbing before I even start thinking about taking on Mount Everest.

But hey maybe one day I will because after all, quotes like: It’s never too late, you can accomplish everything you want – as long as you put some work into it. really give you that great feeling that if you try you’ll succeed in reaching the summit or Mount Everest one day!

Now though I say this, I beileve that my time is not right for Mount Everest as my time is with my studies so for now I’m just going to have to put my dreams of going to Mount Everest on hold, but hey have no ferar for those of you who still want to go and have a bit more time than me at the moment why not read below.

It doesn’t require 10 years of climbing to attempt Everest. 2-3 years could be adequate if you climb very often, including some high Alpine climbs. But you should still take your time to learn the skills and enjoy the practice on various mountains around the world. It’s a longer, yet much more rewarding approach to climb Everest.

Becoming a climber

1. Take a course in rock climbing

Start in spring or summer for the best weather, most spare time and fun. An initial rock-climbing course usually takes a weekend. It will familiarize you with the gear. Ropes, personal/climbing equipment, belaying, the techniques to climb various rock formations and rock materials, abseiling, how to find routes to climb (there are route-guide books) and of course the art of rock climbing itself (to use your legs rather than your arms and so on). Expect sore legs, arms, back and fingertips. And a whole new dimension to your life.

2. Practice

Buy a guidebook for various climbs and routes in your neighborhood and start practice what you’ve learned.

You don’t need to be a skilled rock climber to climb the Himalayas since the technical parts of alpine mountains usually are different from rock  “tip” climbing. You will wear bulky shoes and clothing – the rocks will be rougher and wider.

But you need rock climbing skills to know the proper techniques. It will make your climb so much easier.

Practice everywhere. Go outdoors, at evenings and weekends. It’s a neat feeling to climb a steep, dark, wet and cold hill at night, and then dress up in the car for a fancy dinner at an upscale restaurant!

Climb while spending a weekend at the in-laws summer house. Behind the mall. At school brakes. In the park. There are rocks to be found everywhere. People think that you are crazy? Don’t worry about it. You are about to become an Everest climber!

Bring climbing gear with you on vacations. We’ve had some great rock climbs in really unexpected places like the Seychelles. Make climbing a part of your every day life. 10 minutes here. One hour there. You have the time.

3. Aid climbing

After you have practiced some rock climbing on your own, say a month or two, you should follow up with a class in aid climbing. It takes just a day or two and will introduce you to further techniques in artificial climbing and pegs.

These skills are specifically suited for difficult walls and tricky sections. With these techniques, you’ll get in and out of everywhere.

4. Time to go Ice

You have climbed for around, say – 3 months, and if you started at summer and live in a temperate climate, now is the season to take a class in ice climbing. This course takes anything from 1-3 days, depending on travel. You will learn to use ice- screws, snow belays, crampons and those cool ice picks. You will be wearing hard boots and learn to climb in heavy weather gear. The ice will shimmer  translucent blue and green, you will be mortified, but in the end you’ll make it and then transform into Superman, ready to sign autographs!

5. Ready for the Big Ones

Following the winters ice-climbs, it is now spring and a good time to join a guided expedition to a high mountain. Denali in Alaska is a good one. The climb is around 2 weeks, season ranging from May to July. You will learn to deal with cold and foul weather, altitude, to pack light, to melt water and prepare altitude food, how to set up camp, what gear to use and how to use it.

Also, you will learn how you respond to altitude – what is normal and when to be alarmed. You will also learn to handle various mountaineering problems, medicals and alpine illness preventions.

Since we had already attended a mountaineering course in the Mount Blanc massif, we took on Denali alone. Reading the book “Surviving Denali” (Jonathan Waterman) prior to the climb was of great value to us.

6. On your own

It’s time to make your own expedition. Aaargh! Take on an easy mountain: Cho Oyu in Nepal and the likes. (But never underestimate ANY mountain). Practice what you learned when you were guided.  Good time to climb Cho Oyo is in the fall, September/October. Aconcagua, South America, is a favorite in the spring.

7. Everest

Ready to go. Here is how…

Via: MountEverest.net