Mt. Everest 8,850m - Nepal
Fixed departure: March 25 - June 1, 2011/2012

Hillary and Norgay Climb Mount Everest (1953): After years of dreaming about it and seven weeks of climbing, New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Nepalese Tenzing Norgay reached the top of Mt. Everest, the highest mountain in the world, at 11:30 a.m. on May 29, 1953.

Mt. Everest had long been considered un-climbable by some and the ultimate climbing challenge by others. Soaring in height to 29,035 feet (8,850 m), the famous mountain lays in the Himalayas, along the border of Nepal and Tibet, China.

Before Hillary and Tenzing successfully reached the summit, two other expeditions got close. Most famous of these was the 1924 climb of George Leigh Mallory and Andrew "Sandy" Irvine. They climbed Mt. Everest at a time when the aid of compressed air was still new and controversial. The pair of climbers was last seen still going strong at the Second Step (about 28,140 - 28,300 ft). Many people still wonder if Mallory and Irvine might have been the first to make it to the top of Mt. Everest. However, since the two men did not make it back down the mountain alive, perhaps we'll never know for sure.

Mallory and Irvine certainly were not the last to die upon the mountain. Climbing Mt. Everest is extremely dangerous. Besides the freezing weather (which puts climbers at risk for extreme frostbite) and the obvious potential for long falls from cliffs and into deep crevasses, climbers of Mt. Everest suffer from the effects of the extreme high altitude, often called "mountain sickness." The high altitude prevents the human body from getting enough oxygen to the brain, causing hypoxia. Any climber who climbs above 8,000 feet could get mountain sickness and the higher they climb, the more severe the symptoms may become. Most climbers of Mt. Everest at least suffer from headaches, cloudiness of thought, lack of sleep, loss of appetite, and fatigue. And some, if not acclimated correctly, could show the more acute signs of altitude sickness which include dementia, trouble walking, lack of physical coordination, delusions, and coma.

To prevent the acute symptoms of altitude sickness, climbers of Mt. Everest spend a lot of their time slowly acclimating their bodies to the increasingly high altitudes. This is why it can take climbers many weeks to climb Mt. Everest.

In addition to humans, not many creatures or plants can live in high altitudes either. For this reason, food sources for climbers of Mt. Everest are relatively nonexistent. So in preparation for their climb, climbers and their teams must plan, purchase, and then carry all of their food and supplies with them up the mountain. Most teams hire Sherpas to help carry their supplies up the mountain. (The Sherpa are a previously nomadic people who live near Mt. Everest and who have the unusual ability of being able to quickly physically adapt to higher altitudes.)

Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Hillary were part of the British Everest Expedition, 1953, led by Colonel John Hunt. Hunt had selected a team of people who were experienced climbers from all around the British Empire. Among the eleven chosen climbers, Edmund Hillary was selected as a climber from New Zealand and Tenzing Norgay, though born a Sherpa, was recruited from his home in India. Also along for the trip was a filmmaker to document their progress and a writer for The Times, both were there in the hopes of documenting a successful climb to the summit. Very importantly, a physiologist rounded out the team.

After months of planning and organizing, the expedition began to climb. On their way up, the team established nine camps, some of which are still used by climbers today.
Out of all the climbers on the expedition, only four would get a chance to make an attempt to reach the summit. Hunt, the team leader, selected two teams of climbers. The first team consisted of Tom Bourdillon and Charles Evans and the second team consisted of Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay.

The first team left on May 26, 1953 to reach the summit of Mt. Everest. Although the two men made it up to about 300 feet shy of the summit, the highest any human had yet reached, they were forced to turn back after bad weather set in as well as a fall and problems with their oxygen tanks.

At 4 a.m. on May 29, 1953, Hillary and Norgay awoke in camp nine and readied themselves for their climb. Hillary discovered that his boots had frozen and thus spent two hours defrosting them. The two men left camp at 6:30 a.m. Upon their climb, they came upon one particularly difficult rock face, but Hillary found a way to climb it. (The rock face is now called "Hillary's Step.)
At 11:30 a.m., Hillary and Norgay reached the summit of Mt. Everest. Hillary reached out to shake Norgay's hand, but Norgay gave him a hug in return. The two men enjoyed only 15 minutes at the top of the world because of their low air supply, but they spent their time taking photographs, taking in the view, placing a food offering (Norgay), and looking for any sign that the missing climbers from 1924 had been there before them (they didn't find any).

When their 15 minutes was up, Hillary and Norgay began making their way back down the mountain. It is reported that when Hillary saw is friend and co-New Zealand climber George Lowe (also part of the expedition), Hillary said, "Well, George, we've knocked the bastard off!"

News of the successful climb quickly made it around the world. Both Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay became heroes.

Everest Schedule and Prices
Dates: March 25 - June 1, 2011
Date: August 23rd – October 31st 2011
(End date subject to change)

Cost: $55,000 per person

Deposit: $20,000
Balance due 120 days prior to departure

Please note if you would like to pay the deposit or the balance with a credit card a 2.5% surcharge will be added to your balance.

Refunds: NO REFUNDS are provided on the deposit or payments for this expedition.

Note: Acceptance based on prior experience. Enrollment is confirmed upon receipt of deposit. A complete confirmation package is forwarded to all members in conjunction with multiple email and phone briefings. Detailed gear lists, logistics and training information are available upon request.

Itinerary:

Day 01: Arrival Kathmandu and transfer to hotel
Day 02: Preparation
Day 04: Fly to Lukla (2,804m) and trek to Phakding (2,610m)
Day 05: Trek to Namche Bazar (3,535m)
Day 06: Acclimatization day in Namche
Day 07: Trek to Tengboche Monastery (3,850m)
Day 08: Trek to Dingboche (4,350m)
Day 09: Trek to Lobuche (4,950m)
Day 10: Trek to Everest Base camp (5,400m)

09 April - 01 June:
Day 11-65: (climbing period of Mt. Everest)
Day 66: Trek back to Pangboche
Day 67: Namche
Day 68: Lukla
Day 69: Lukla flight to Kathmandu
Day 70: Shop and Farwell Dinner
Day 71: Fly Home

Land Costs Include

• 4 nights accommodation at hotel de l’ Annapurna in Kathmandu, inclusive of breakfast (Clients should pay for additional nights if they stay more than 4 nights).
• Airport picks up and transfers by private vehicle.
• Flight to and from Lukla and air cargo.
• Lodge to Lodge trek from Lukla to Gorakshep and back to Lukla.
• Expedition permits.
• Liaison officer and his round trip flight, insurance, wages, expedition equipments etc.
• All camping gears (dining tent, kitchen tent, member tents, shower tent, toilet tents, table and chairs, mattresses).
• Full board meals during the trekking and expedition period.
• High altitude climbing food, fuel, Gas above base camp (you are also advised to bring some high altitude food yourselves).
• Guide, cook, porters, helpers up to base camp.
• Climbing Sherpas (1 member = 1 Sherpa Ratio on climbing day).
• Oxygen (5 cylinders of 4 liters per member and 3 cylinders per Sherpa) and Mask regulator.
• Portable Altitude Chamber (PAC).
• Farwell dinner.

Land Costs Do Not Include

• $25 Wire Transfer Fee (If Applicable).
• International round-trip airfare (USA-Nepal-USA).
• Meals in Kathmandu and hotels after the climb (once the climber has left the mountain).
• Personal gear, clothing and sleeping equipment (see gear list).
• Insurance. A comprehensive medical insurance policy is required to embark on this expedition.
• Trip cancellation insurance. This is highly recommended and can be purchased through Himalayan Sherpa Trek & Expedition. (See below).
• Comprehensive medical exam. A physician signed Medical Release Form is required.
• Alcoholic beverages and bottled drinks.
• All expenses incurred in the event of early departure (evac fees, transport, extra hotel nights, etc).
• Personal Items.
• Charges incurred as a result of delays beyond the control of Himalayan Sherpa Trek & Expedition.
• Personal communication (phone, fax, e-mail) between Nepal and home country.
• A Medical Evacuation Insurance Policy is mandatory. Available through Himalayan Sherpa Trek & Expedition (see below).
• Refund Policy
• No refunds are provided on the deposit or any payments for the expedition. The reason for such a strict refund policy is due to the great expense incurred in such an expedition. All gear and food must be purchased several months in advance to ensure that it reaches Nepal and base camp before we arrive. Our refund policy also protects other members who have committed their time and money to the expedition.

Each $20,000.00 deposit and $25,000 balance is non-refundable.

All balances are due 120 days prior to departure date unless otherwise specified.

Emergency
In case of emergency and at any time during the expedition, Himalayan Sherpa Trek & Expedition and its staff will use all resources available to rescue and evacuate injured climbers. From base camp, helicopter rescue is possible. Above base camp, an emergency situation can only be handled with the resources of the expedition and other expeditions in the area. Any additional cost involved in an emergency will be the responsibility of the climbing member(s) requiring immediate medical attention and/or evacuation.

Trip Cancellation Insurance
We highly recommend purchasing trip cancellation insurance. Himalayan Sherpa Trek & Expedition offers a plan in conjunction with Travelex. If you are signing up online or over the phone, please contact us for detail policy number and information we will be sent upon receipt of your completed application. When you book please provide our reference this number #47-0110 through Himalayan Sherpa Trek & Expedition LLC.

For more information regarding seven summits, please contact us. We are looking for more people on our team 2009 through 2010 summits.
1-888-800-0830 or, E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Congratulation your summit with Himalayan Sherpa Trek & Expedition 2010! For more information to join these groups, please contact at National 1-888-800-0830 Local 206-324-9000 or E-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it