Climbing Mount Everest, the Tallest Mountain in the World

Article Highlights:

• May 23rd remains the most popular summit day on Mount Everest, with 12% of all summits occurring on that date
• Nepal has raised Everest permit fees from $11,000 to $15,000, but the impact on crowd levels is uncertain
• Spring 2025 is expected to bring up to 800 summits, with most from the Nepal side and renewed access from Tibet
• Common injuries and illnesses include HAPE, HACE, frostbite and altitude-related trauma, prompting increased helicopter rescues
• Avalanche risk, stricter helicopter rules and shifting climber preferences toward peaks like Annapurna are shaping the season

Each spring, Mount Everest becomes the epicenter of the mountaineering world. The tallest mountain in the world draws climbers, trekkers and adventurers hoping to summit the 8,848-meter giant in the narrow window of calm weather conditions that typically arrives in late May. The 2025 climbing season is shaping up to be busy, dramatic and possibly record-breaking, both in terms of success and emergency situations.

Climbers are already streaming into Everest Base Camp on the Nepal side, where familiar names like Alpine Ascents International, International Mountain Guides and Furtenbach Adventures have returned. Teams on the Tibet side are completing their final logistics and gear checks and preparing to head out. The season’s momentum is building fast, and the big question is, as always: when will they summit?

Mount Everest Summit Days

Historical data from the Himalayan Database, covering 1953 to 2024, shows that 97.5% of all Everest summits have occurred in spring, with May accounting for the vast majority, according to research by climber expert Alan Arnette. The peak of activity historically falls between May 15 and 27, with May 19–25 emerging as the prime summit week. Within that window, May 23rd stands out, accounting for the most summit attempts in recorded history – 12% of all 12,884 summits occurred on that day.

This year, experts like Arnette anticipate 700 to 800 total summits across both the Nepal and Tibet routes. Arnette expects about 650 or more climbers to summit from Nepal and at least 150 from Tibet. “This would make 2025 one of the busiest years since the pandemic, trailing only the 2019 pre-COVID record of 877 summits,” he said.

Dan Stretch, a paramedic and Global Rescue Operations senior manager, has coordinated hundreds of evacuations and crisis response operations in the Himalayas. He says more permits generally mean more rescues. “But other variables like crowding, weather, summit window duration will play a factor,” he added.

Higher numbers come with higher stakes.

HAPE and HACE

With so many climbers on the mountain, the risk of traffic jams at high altitude, particularly in the death zone above 8,000 meters, is significant. These delays can lead to frostbite, exhaustion and, tragically, death. Climbers caught in queues are more susceptible to altitude-related illnesses like HAPE (high altitude pulmonary edema) and HACE (high altitude cerebral edema), both of which can be fatal if not quickly addressed.

The biggest mistake climbers make is continuing to ascend with altitude mountain sickness symptoms. “They assume that if they get too sick, they can be rescued,” Stretch said. “We see people summit but unable or unwilling to get themselves back down the mountain.”

Stretch noted that there have already been five long line rescues performed on Annapurna, some of which could have been avoided with better crowd control and planning.

Sprains, broken bones, snow blindness and gastrointestinal issues are also common among both climbers and trekkers on Everest. Helicopter rescues, once rare, are now a routine part of the Everest ecosystem, especially for those experiencing high-altitude sickness or injury. Nepal has recently updated its regulations for helicopter deployments, mandating stricter limits based on visibility, wind and altitude. These changes may reduce the number of unnecessary flights but could create bottlenecks if pilot shortages arise during peak rescue periods.

Mountaineering and Trekking Permit Costs

The 2025 season also introduces a significant new variable: a higher price tag. Nepal has raised its permit fee for climbing Mount Everest from $11,000 to $15,000 per person. While some hope this will deter inexperienced climbers or reduce crowding, Arnette believes the mountain’s enduring appeal—and low-cost outfitters advertising “no experience required”—will keep Everest busy. “The insatiable lure of Everest is stronger than ever,” he writes.

As a result, some experienced climbers are opting for alternative Himalayan peaks that offer challenges without chaos. Annapurna, Cho Oyu and Makalu are seeing rising interest. These peaks offer different risks but lack the sheer volume of climbers that characterize Everest’s south and north sides in May.

Avalanche Risk

Avalanche risk remains a serious concern, particularly in unstable areas like the Khumbu Icefall. This section, notorious for collapsing seracs and shifting ice towers, has claimed more lives than almost any other on the mountain. The Nepal Mountaineering Association and meteorological teams monitor avalanche risk using a combination of snowpack analysis, temperature trends and satellite data. Despite improved forecasting tools, avalanche prediction remains imperfect, and climbers must always be ready to turn back.

“Some of the more advanced teams will be using weather data like snowfall accumulation, temperature changes, sun exposure and more to assess avalanche risk,” said Stretch. “Lots of it is done visually, there could be an identified high risk, and some teams will carry on hoping for the best.”

Some climbers are doing acclimatization rotations on nearby trekking peaks like Island Peak and Lobuche to avoid the treacherous Khumbu Icefall. These mountains offer a useful substitute for the early stages of high-altitude exposure while keeping climbers out of the icefall’s notorious danger zone.

As summit season approaches, weather remains the ultimate variable. A single day of bad weather in the third week of May can delay or derail weeks of effort. Forecasting windows just 48 to 72 hours in advance guide most final summit pushes and teams will be watching for sudden shifts in the jet stream or unexpected storms.

Despite all the risks and costs, Mount Everest remains the pinnacle of global mountaineering. The mountain commands respect, preparation and luck—but each spring, it draws hundreds into its high-altitude realm for a chance to stand on the roof of the world.

The Global Rescue Connection

Global Rescue deploys four people in teams of two that include nurses and paramedics led by Stretch to Nepal each year. They focus on coordinating the logistics of helicopter rescues and facilitate hospital admissions. Stretch, an experienced mountaineer, has managed over 500 Himalayan rescues.

With mountaineering and trekking gaining popularity, Global Rescue is expanding its services, extending in-field deployments and launching the High-Altitude Evacuation Package. This package is recommended for anyone 16 years or older traveling above 15,000 feet (4,600 meters) and offers critical emergency response coverage.

“High-altitude outdoor activity worldwide is reaching unprecedented heights of participation,” said climbing legend Ed Viesturs, the only American to climb all 14 of the world’s 8,000+ meter peaks without supplemental oxygen.