Let’s split it into two seasons: spring and autumn. Spring (April–May) is the main event, with about 90% of all attempts. Autumn gets the leftovers—a few hundred thrill-seekers who like their summit views with a side of icy wind. Pro tip: Spring is so crowded you can almost pass someone a snack from the next tent.
Now, here’s the kicker: not everyone makes it. Of those 800–1,200 annual attempts, only about 60–65% actually reach the top. So, roughly 500 to 700 people stand on the roof of the world each year. The rest? They turn back, cry a little, and buy a really expensive “I Tried” t-shirt.
And don’t forget the record years. In 2019, a whopping 891 people summitted in a single season. That’s more than the population of a small town—and just as many selfies. The mountain literally had a queue. “Excuse me, sir, is this the line for the oxygen bar?”
Who Are These Crazy People?
Most climbers aren’t professional mountaineers in capes. They’re lawyers, dentists, and retirees with a death wish and a big wallet. Seriously, a guided trip costs $35,000 to $100,000. That’s the price of a luxury car, but instead of leather seats, you get frostbitten toes. Worth it? Maybe.
About 66% of climbers are men, but women are climbing—literally—the ranks. The first woman (Junko Tabei in 1975) would be thrilled to know that now over 150 women summit annually. That’s progress, baby! Also, the youngest successful climber was 13-year-old Jordan Romero in 2010. Yes, a teenager with better planning skills than most adults.
Record Number of Climbers on Everest; Rope Fixers Reach Camp 4
And let’s not ignore the nepotism of the mountain. Sherpas, the local experts, account for about 40% of all summits. They’re the real heroes. You’re basically paying a guide to hold your hand while a Sherpa carries your tent, your food, and your will to live.
