Ok, so climbing the seven summits (the highest point on each continent) isn’t news any more unless you’re under 15, over 75, are missing a couple limbs, or… well, yeah, I guess that’s about it. And it’s not really any great mountaineering achievement. None of the peaks are technically difficult. But admit it, deep down, you still think it would be a cool thing to do. That is, if you had unlimited time and resources. While we’re on the subject, exactly how much DOES it cost to climb the seven summits?
The OutPost reports (click on that link to get more details and a breakdown of the cost) that it can cost anywhere between $119,720 and $183.870! Pretty expensive, eh? It would take the average dirtbag climber a few reincarnations to save up that kind of dough. WhatItCosts.com reports, somewhat less optimistically, that it would cost between $130,000 and $220,000. Again, that is a LOT of money!! All of the guides, gear, travel expenses, etc. really add up!
So what do you think? Is it worth it? Is climbing the seven summits stupid? Are you just jealous that you don’t have that much money to throw around? I kind of am…
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I have gotten in some huge verbal battles over similar topics like this. It really bums me out in many ways how much money is thrown at these adventures specifically in the himalyas. So much money is going to support a country that does not allow religous freedoms, or education, or self goverment. We as climbers should stand up to this and boycott climbing in the Chinese infulenced Nepal and Chinese occupied Tibet. Sorry for taking this topic in another direction.
As for personal climbing I don’t find that you can credit yourself these days with actually bagging the peak with all the money that goes into paying for a guide service. You basically pay to get hauled up the mountain. Yes you still need to do your own walking, but what about the spirit of alpinism where the individual plans the route, the gear, the weather windows, the food, and then suceeds in obtaining the summit. That is the essence of climbing, not some corperate conusmer greed that shoves tons of money just to ensure that you get to have your little moment on top with a photo that you can proudly display on your desk, “oh yeah i climbed everest….with high volumes of suplemental oxygen carried by dozens of sherpas that kicked me in the ass because i was whyning and crying the whole way up.) In the end I guess its your own personal choice on what climbing is to you, but when it comes to the high mountains like the seven summits all I see is a bunch of f*ing guiding services polluting the mountain not only with trash but with high volumes of inexperienced climbers. So untill these people find another fad to go after I will not be heading to any of these mountains.
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