Resting majestically between the Nepali and Tibetan border, Mount Everest is the world’s tallest mountain at an elevation of 8,848.86 m (29,031.7 ft.) above sea level. Believed to be 40-50 million years old, Everest has seen attempts on its summit in increasing volumes in recent years has seen an increase in ascents in recent years. There are many things one should know when planning an expedition, climbing seasons being a significant one. The Everest climbing season is divided into pre and post-monsoon, with the best times to climb Mount Everest being spring (March-May) and fall (September-November)
As hard as it is to determine the weather, the climatic conditions on the Everest climbing route have been quantified over the years. Data like this helps in preparing for the expedition from assembling gear to planning the itinerary.
| Month | Temperature | Snowfall |
|---|---|---|
| October (week 1) | 5°C / -24°C (41°F/-11°F) | 8cm-47cm |
| October (week2) | 3°C/-25°C (37°F/-13°F) | 7cm-25 |
| October (week3) | 2°C/-26°C (36°F/-15°F) | 2cm-16cm |
| October (week4) | 0°C/-28°C (32°F/-18°F) | 0cm-5cm |
| November (week 1) | -1.1°C/-31°C (30°F/-24°F) | 1cm-4cm |
| November (week 2) | -0.4°C/-32°C (31°F/-26°F) | 0cm-3cm |
| November (week 3) | -1.5°C/-30°C (29°F/-22°F) | 0cm-3cm |
| November (week 4) | -0.7°C/-31°C (31°F/-24°F) | 0cm-1cm |
| April (week 1) | -0.9°C/-33°C (30°F/-27°F) | 1cm-21cm |
| April (week 2) | -0.4°C/-33°C (31°F/-27°F) | 2cm-23cm |
| April (week 3) | -0.8°C/-30°C (31°F/-22°F) | 2cm-23cm |
| April (week 4) | -1.3°C/-31°C (30°F/-24°F) | 3cm-27cm |
| May (week 1) | 1.6°C/-30°C (35°F/-22°F) | 3cm-43cm |
| May (week 2) | 2.6°C/-28°C (37°F/-18°F) | 4cm-47cm |
| May (week 3) | 4.7°C/-26°C (41°F/-15°F) | 1cm-35cm |
| May (week 4) | 4.1°C/-25°C (30°F/-13°F) | 3cm-46cm |
Majestic views and sky-high peaks aside, watch out for the Ev-K2-CNR Pyramid lab at the height of 5050m (16,568 ft) at the Everest Base Camp. The lab facilitates research on earth and environmental sciences as well as anthropology and medicine.
The Everest ascent from the Southeast Ridge (starting in Nepal) first begins with a trek to the Everest Base Camp at 5,364 m (17,599 ft.). If you’re dreaming of attempting the summit but want to familiarize yourself with the mountain first, our Sleeping at Everest Base Camp trek is perfect. After a period of acclimatization, you’ll tackle the infamous Khumbu Icefall. This climb starts well before dawn when freezing temperatures keep ice blocks glued in place, reducing the risks of slipping. And thus your Everest expedition starts.
Did you know?
Mount Everest is believed to be 40 to 50 million years old, created as a result of some tectonic plate movement.
Keeping the perilous climatic conditions of the mountain in mind, the pre-monsoon season is an ideal time to climb Everest. According to recent data published by Snow Forecast (2018), mid-April through late May have the lowest snowfall and wind rates. According to meteorological statistics, the best month to climb Mount Everest is the month of May, when it is mostly sunny with light winds after some fresh, scant snowfall.
Climbing Everest during Spring (March-May)
On the flip side, the spring season is also the most crowded, leading to traffic jams up on the mountain’s snowy slopes. Having to remain immobile for hours at a time in strenuous conditions like those on Everest will not be easy. However, with appropriate climbing gears and experienced guides, you can safely enjoy the glory of the Himalayas alongside climbers from all around the world.
Planning your expedition will be as taxing as the climb itself, as it takes a lot of time and bureaucratic patience. Contact our travel experts at Himalayan Glacier to plan your trip while you prepare yourself physically and mentally for the climb of a lifetime.
When climbing Everest from the south face, climbers enter the death zone during their summit bid, called so due to the strenuous conditions you’ll be facing there. The altitude and its subsequent air pressure means that climbers cannot spend more than two to three days in this area. If the weather does not cooperate during this window, climbers can be forced to descend to the base camp. Therefore, low winds and clear weather are imperious to be able to reach the Everest summit.
Climbing Everest during Fall (September-November)
Fall is another favorable window to climb Mt. Everest. This Everest climbing season opens after the summer monsoon winds recede, allowing for a period of dry early fall. The first two weeks of October in addition to late September combined is also the best time to summit Everest. The precipitation during the monsoon seasons translates to snow on the mountain, the evidence of which climbers will experience during your fall ascent. Therefore, it is imperious that you prepare yourself with the necessary climbing gears and experienced guides. The month of October also brings fewer people out to climb, due to which you will be seeing fewer crowds and getting easier passage up the mountain.
Dreaming of summiting the tallest mountain? Consult with our travel experts and experienced guides who have personal experience with climbing Everest.
Surrounded by some of the tallest peaks of Lhotse, (27,940 ft/8,516 m), Nuptse, (25,771 ft/7,855 m); and Changtobse, (24,870 ft/7,580 m) One of the main factors that will affect your ascend is the wind. As you gain altitude, the air gets thinner, the wind speed increases and it becomes more physically taxing after the 8000m (26,246 ft) point. While this depends upon your Everest Climb Itinerary, the average 5-6 hour daily walk between the camps turns into 12hrs to cross 1.7km (1mile). Because you will face multiple similar instances, it is better to be aware of some Everest climbing requirements.
Everest Climbing Requirements
Now that you know the best time to climb Everest, you should also know what it takes to reach the summit. Apart from physical fitness, fierce determination, and appropriate peak climbing gears the government of Nepal has put into place certain requirements to ensure a safe climb from the south face.
1. Previous Experience
As a part of safety measures, the government of Nepal requires you to have climbed at least one peak higher than 6500m (21,325 ft) (among other things) in order to be granted a permit. So make sure you’ve completed some climbs and expeditions before attempting to summit Mt. Everest.
2. Local guide
Whether you’re climbing on your own or with a group of other climbers, an experienced guide is a strict requirement for your Everest expedition. Your Sherpa guide will help secure the safest Everest climbing route, provide technical support, and much more.
3. Rescue Insurance
A part of planning the perfect trip is also considering the possibility of injury or illnesses during the expedition. The government of Nepal mandates that you get rescue insurance when applying for a permit. This is a special type of travel insurance that covers any emergency rescue or evacuation from the mountain.
You can never be too prepared to summit the tallest peak in the world. For more details on the best time to climb Everest, and the climbing requirements, you can WhatsApp us at +1-410-307-0007. Furthermore, you can contact us to discuss climbing the Everest summit from the south face with our travel experts.
Ongchhu Sherpa who has scaled different peaks including Mt. Everest and Mt. Cho Oyu is an extremely experienced trekking & mountaineering climber with multiple achievements under his belt. He has accompanied trekkers and mountaineers from countries around the globe.
