How Long Does it Take to Climb Mount Everest?

Climbing Mount Everest is one of the most challenging expeditions in the world. It takes around 45 days to complete Everest Expedition from base camp to Everest Summit. Everest climbing duration is dependent on weather, acclimatization and climbers’ determination. Climbing never occurs in bad weather condition. Climbers climb to higher elevation and return to lower elevation to acclimatize their body. The longer acclimatization period is the main reason behind the long time to climb Mt. Everest. 

Lukla to Everest base camp: 9 days

Before starting Mount Everest expedition, climbers should trek to Everest base camp. The entire team, i.e. climbers, experts and porters, start the trek from Lukla to Phakding. Day to day we will trek to higher elevation and reach the Everest base camp on the ninth day of trekking. The rest day in Namche and Dingboche helps you to acclimatize in higher elevation. Walking in EBC trekking route with gradual increase in elevation is very supportive to acclimatize your body. 

Everest base camp to Summit

Climbing Mount Everest begins from Everest Base camp. All the climbers who reached EBC from Lukla stay in base camp to acclimatize and prepare for expedition. There will be experienced Sherpa guide to lead on Mountain. The well-prepared route will be followed by all climbers in good weather. We should be well prepared before starting the Everest expedition.

Everest base camp to Camp 1

Everest Base Camp 1 is located at 6,055 m above sea level at 27.987169° N and 86.876680° E. It takes around 5–6 hours to climb Camp I from Everest base camp. We should climb the Khumbu ice fall and return to base camp for acclimatization. The repeated climbing to higher elevation and return to base camp repeats 4-5 times until our bodies get adjusted to higher elevation. We will push to camp I via  Khumbu Ice fall with deep crevasses and ice blocks. Using a ladder and rope is very important to overcome the dangerous route.

Everest base camp I to Everest base camp 2

Everest Base Camp 2 is at 6,294 m above sea level in 27.982310° N and 86.891280° E in Nepal. Climbing Everest Base Camp I to Everest Base Camp II begins after you get completely acclimatized in Camp I. We should climb to camp ii and return to camp I 4-5 times until our body gets adjusted to camp II. It takes 6.7 hours to reach Camp II from Camp I. You can enjoy the mind-blowing view of mountains around you. The snow-covered land surrounded by the highest peak in the world gives a unique view you have ever seen. The deep crevices and big ice blocks on the route to camp II are dangerous since it may move anytime. We should use ladder and ropes to pass from deep cervices and climb the ice blocks to reach the highest elevation.

Everest base camp 2 to Everest base camp 3

Everest Base Camp 3 is located in 6,803 m asl at 27.972022° N and 86.915120° E in Nepal. Shifting from Everest Base Camp 2 to EBC 3 begins only after climbing Camp III 4,5 times to acclimatize. After gaining confidence to stay in Everest base camp III, all climbers will shift to camp III from camp II. Climbers will climb camp II and return camp ii along with the guidance of expert Sherpa. It takes around three to four hours to reach camp iii from camp ii. The slippery path, blue ice and snowy hills are challenges to push on camp iii. Besides, enjoy the mind-blowing view of Nuptse, Lhotse and many more peaks of Karakoram range. 

Everest base camp 3 to camp 4

Everest base camp 4 is in 7865 m at 27.973585 ° N and 86.929998° E of its southern face, Nepal. It is on the edge of the death zone. The thin layer of air, low oxygen, windy weather, and sub-zero temperature in camp four increase the risk of survival. Everyone, including climbers, porters, and experts, should be very careful while pushing up to Everest base camp IV. Climbing camp 4 and returning to camp 3 continues until the climbers feel comfortable on camp 4 after acclimatization. It takes around 6 hours to reach Everest Base Camp IV from Everest Base Camp II. The climbing route to camp IV covers slippery, icy hills, which is impossible without the help of rope. Passing the Lhotse face and South col, we will reach camp 4, also known as south col. You can enjoy the mind-blowing view of the mountain peaks of the Karakoram range, central Himalaya, from camp 4. 

Camp 4 to Mount Everest Summit

Climbing camp 4 to Mount Everest summit is challenging as well as full of risk. The technical Hillary steps and steep slopes should be passed under the guidance of Sherpa. It takes around 8 to 9 hours to reach the Mount Everest summit from camp 4. Generally, the summit climb occurs during night so that climbers could return to camp 4 as early as possible. 

The rainbow valley with the colorful jackets of death bodies resting in peace exposes the determination of climbers till last breath. There are around 200 bodies along with green boots and sleeping beauty who could not return home from death zone. The elevation above 8000 m is considered a death zone because of the very low oxygen level in the atmosphere and extreme weather. Climbers required supplement oxygen cylinder while ascending or descending in death zone. Severe tiredness, physical or mental fatigue, and weakness may be the reasons behind the deaths of climbers in the deathzone of Mount Everest.  

Mount Everest Summit to Camp 4

Climbers took their photographs with their national flag and descended to camp IV after spending a few minutes on Mount Everest. It takes 3–6 hours to reach camp 4 from Everest summit. Descending down is equally dangerous as weather remains uncertain on Mt. Everest. The climbers get very tired during the 8–9-hour climbing period. Therefore, everyone should be careful while descending to camp 4 to remain safe.

Camp 4 to Camp 3

Descending from camp IV to camp three takes around 4 hours. Although, returning to the lower camp takes a short time, carefulness is the most. You will reach to save zone after reaching camp III.  Either the team takes rest in camp 3 or they will return to camp 2 based on weather conditions and climbers’ ability to walk. 

Camp 3 to Everest base camp

It takes around 3 hours to reach camp 2 from Camp 3. The higher level of oxygen in camp iii creates easy environment for climbers. After resting for an hour, climbers will descend to camp I and then to Everest base camp. The ice crevasses, Khumbu ice fall, and ice blocks are the regions to be careful while descending to Everest base camp.

Finally, the Mount Everest expedition completes with your safe steps on Everest base camp. Climbers will celebrate the succession of expedition, clean up the base camp and return to Lukla within four five days. Even they can return in helicopter as well. 

Conclusion: How long does it take to climb Mount Everest?

Overall, climbing Mount Everest is an adventure and challenging task, which makes you a perfect climber after returning successfully. Discipline is most important to reach the summit of the highest peak in the world and go back to Everest base camp. Yearly, new records are being set up based on the duration of climbing mount Everest. Lakpa Gelu Sherpa has climbed Mount Everest within 10 hours 56 minutes in 2003 AD. He has created history as the fastest climber to reach Mount Everest. Yearly, the new records, either by male or female, are being created. Thus, there is no limitation of time to complete Everest Expedition. No, one knows when the new record will be established, and who will be the record breaker?