Mount Everest is the tallest mountain in the world, which has made it one of the most popular climbing destinations in the world for climbers from all around the world. Mount Everest has been climbed thousands of times since Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay first summited the mountain in 1953. But how many people have climbed Mount Everest? The number of climbers climbing Mount Everest has increased steadily over the years and has seen climbers trying the peak out of the main climbing seasons too! Mount Everest has had its fair share of climbing success and tragedy throughout the years. As it is with each Mount Everest expedition, we continually add to the growing Everest climbers statistics.
Today, it is essential to keep track of the number of total Everest summits for researchers, adventure companies, and the ever-growing market of mountaineering enthusiasts. The number of climbers on Mount Everest per year is still increasing especially during the two main climbing seasons i.e. spring and fall. Thankfully, now more and more climbers have the gear and support needed to reach the top and claim their Everest summit ascent.
Climbers waiting in line near the top of Mount Everest at sunrise
In this blog, we will look at how many people have climbed Mount Everest to date, the trends over the years and what the statistics say about one of the most recognised mountains in the world.
How many people have climbed Mount Everest?
Since the first successful Everest summits of Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay in 1953, the numbers of climbers successfully summiting Mount Everest has increased every year since. According to official records, 6000 climbers on Mount Everest have successfully climbed, and many climbers have summited Everest multiple times.
As of the most current information:
The total number of Everest summits (including repeat summits) has passed 11,000.
Some climbers, such as Sherpas, have summited the mountain dozens of times.
In any given year, especially in the spring, hundreds of climbers make the summit of Everest each year. Annual numbers of Everest climbers typically range from 600-800 in recent years-though some years are much higher.
Two climbers climbing down blue ice wall in Everest icefall with safety ropes
How many climbers reach the summit of Everest each year?
The number of people who summit Everest each year fluctuates based on weather conditions, natural disasters, and worldwide events like the COVID-19 pandemic. However, for the most part, the successful number of Everest summits has increased in the last few years due to better preparation, superior equipment, and the experience of Sherpas who support climbers prior to and during each attempt.
Here are the summit records of Everest between 2015 and 2023
2015: 0 summits as climbing was canceled due to a massive earthquake that created deadly avalanches.
2016: approx. 640 successful summits of Everest
2017: approx. 648 summits
2018: approx. 807 climbers summited
2019: an unprecedented 876 summits, even with hopes of overcrowding
2020: 0 summits as Everest closed due to the COVID-19 global pandemic
2021: over 600 climbers summited despite pandemic restrictions
2022: approx. 678 successful summits of Everest
2023: almost 670 climbers summited from the Nepal side alone
It should be noted that these counts reflect the total number of foreign climbers and Sherpas, many of whom summit Everest multiple times in a season. The increasing number of Everest climbers per year is indicative of interest in the high altitude adventures prevalent across multiple countries, but also the growing issues with crowding and environmental impact.
Record holders and major milestones on Everest
Many incredible accomplishments and record-setting climbs have taken place on Mount Everest over the years. Below is a list of some of the key achievements:
First successful summit (1953): The first climbers to summit were Sir Edmund Hillary from New Zealand and Tenzing Norgay, a Sherpa from Nepal.
Youngest climber to summit: Jordan Romero from the USA climbed to the top in 2010 at age 13.
Oldest climber to summit: Yuichiro Miura from Japan summited at age 80 in 2013.
Most Everest summits: Sherpa Kami Rita has climbed Everest over 30 times as of 2023.
First woman to summit: Junko Tabei from Japan summited Everest in 1975.
First solo ascent: Reinhold Messner from Italy completed the first solo climb without supplemental oxygen in 1980.
Fastest ascent: In 2004, Pemba Dorje Sherpa climbed from base camp to summit in less than 8 hours (this record was disputed later but regardless this is an impressive achievement).
First ascent without bottled oxygen: Reinhold Messner and Peter Habeler achieved the summit without bottled oxygen in 1978.
First ascent in winter conditions: The first summit in winter was achieved by a Polish team in 1980, led by Krzysztof Wielicki and Leszek Cichy.
The most summits in one season: In 2018, Sherpa guides established a record, achieving over 200 summits as a group in a one climbing season!
The first double summit within a week: A few climbers have made double summits in a matter of days, though this is a rare and extreme endeavor.
The first blind climber: Erik Weihenmayer from the USA achieved the summit in 2001, proving that vision loss does not need to be a barrier.
Fastest round trip from base camp to summit: Kilian Jornet of Spain made a round trip in a little less than 26 hours in 2017.
Mountaineers crossing aluminum ladder over deep crevasse in Khumbu Icefall on Mount Everest
What is the success rate of climbing Mount Everest?
Over the years, advancements in gear, improved weather forecasting capabilities, and the effectiveness of knowledgeable climbers guided by experienced experts have all led to a climbing Mount Everest success rate that appears to be increasing each decade. In the early years of climbing Everest, only a very small percentage of climbers reached the summit successfully. In the 1990s, approximately 24% of climbers reached the summit. In the 2000's that stat had climbed to roughly 33%. At present, climbing success rates to summit Mount Everest have climbed above the 60% success rate mark, depending on crowding and weather. In today's numbers this means that roughly 60% of every 10 climbers that attempt an Everest summit successfully reach the vision of the summit.
Along with increased climb success percentage over time, climbers now often join commercial expeditions which provide substantial support on the mountain, as well as, using guided options available on Everest, or using a combination of information from climbing expeditions in addition to complying with weather info. Nonetheless, weather changes, altitude sickness, and physical fitness capability will always ultimately impact the results of the climber. Although the annual frequency of climbers on Everest is growing, not all climbers make it to the summit of Mount Everest each year nonetheless.
How many people have died climbing Mount Everest?
There have always been risks to climbing Mount Everest. Since the first successful summit in 1953, over 330 climbers have died on Mount Everest as recorded by member countries of the International Mountaineering and Climbing Federation. Each year this number shifts slightly as new statistics are compiled. Many of these deaths occurred in the "Death Zone," which begins above 8,000 meters. In survival situations above the "Death Zone" climbers experience a significant drop in survival capabilities, where life is most difficult because of extremely thin air. This area is also home to the haunting Rainbow Valley, where the brightly colored gear of fallen climbers marks the route and serves as a grim reminder of the mountain’s dangers.
Throughout the Everest climbing history, there have been particularly deadly years. One of the Every note is the day in spring of 1996 when a single storm claimed the lives of eight climbers. In 2014 and 2015 avalanches, the result of natural disasters, killed as many as 30 people combined and at least as many Sherpas. Each of these events are among the lowest moments in the mountain's history.
When looking at yearly Everest summit data there is a certain rise of ascents on the register each year and the number of fatalities each year due to falls, altitude sickness, total exhaustion, or extreme weather conditions. It is important to recognize how many people died on Everest to underline the risks of the mountain and the importance of training and safety before the climb, and preparation before the ascent.
Mount Everest Base Camp expedition tents scattered across rocky moraine with glacier and mountains
How has Everest climbing changed over the years?
Climbing Everest has changed significantly since it was first summited in 1953. In the initial years of Mt Everest climbs, hardly, if any, climbers would attempt. Typically, the climbers were highly skilled mountaineers with basic gear. Most did not succeed, and climbs took weeks just to reach base camp. However, the climbing experience was improved over many years with climbing gear, climbing technology and path finding. Additionally with modernization, development of accurate weather forecasting, and climbing rope and guiding services offered, climbing Everest has become more accessible. In the last decade hundreds of people have climbed in guided expeditions to the summit of Everest. Possibly because of this, there are now commercial climbing organizations that supply essentially everything including guides, Sherpas, oxygen, and fixed ropes already installed. This change in climbing history has increased the number of climbers summiting Everest and has changed the background of climbers from only professional climbers to adventure tourists and private clients.
Interestingly, climbing statistics show that the number of Everest climbers per year has been steadily climbing at an increasing rate since about 2000. Regardless, numbers have blown up since 2015 and raised factual concerns around issues like over-crowding, loss of environment, and riskier climbs because of lesser weather windows.
What are the most popular routes to the top of Everest?
Climbers typically take one of two primary routes to reach the summit of Mount Everest: the South Col route from Nepal and the North Col route from Tibet (China). Both routes have been very popular and well traveled by many climbers and both routes have their own unique advantages and disadvantages.
The South Col route, also referred to as the Southeast Ridge, is the most frequently taken route. The climber will fly to Lukla, Nepal, take a trek to Everest Base Camp, pass through the Khumbu Icefall, Camp I-IV, the Hillary Step, and then finally reach the summit. Almost all of the guided expeditions will use the South Col route since Nepal has much better access, infrastructure, and support service options.
The North Col route, or Northeast Ridge, will begin in Tibet. The climbers will get started at the Tibetan Base Camp and climb through the North Col and several high camps. This route is less frequented as compared with the South Col. The North Col route will generally be more exposed to strong winds and colder weather, and will require different forms for permits and entry through China.
Aluminum ladder spanning dangerous crevasse in Khumbu Icefall glacier on Everest climbing route
How did COVID-19 impact Mount Everest expeditions?
The pandemic has changed how expeditions were run on Everest:
All expeditions were canceled in 2020, as Nepal and China both closed their access to the mountain.
2020 was the first year in recorded climbing history of Everest, where no summits were achieved.
Many local Sherpas, porters, and tourism workers lost their means of income for mountain work, as this spring climbing season comprises the majority of their income.
In 2021, Nepal opened Everest, but COVID-19 outbreaks at base camp forced a number of teams to abandon their climbs once again.
Medical evacuations were more common because some climbers presented with early COVID symptoms, which they and some doctors mistook for altitude sickness.
China then closed the north (Tibet) side of the mountain to foreigners in 2021 and 2022.
Quarantine procedures and travel restrictions meant different logistics and access for international climbers to reach Nepal.
Expedition costs went up because of safety protocols, testing, and new logistics.
The number of climbers summiting Everest dropped significantly in 2020 and then climbed slowly to pre-pandemic levels over the next few years.
Annual data on summits of Everest was disrupted for several years, breaking a period of solid summiting growth that had been developing since the mid-1990s.
Some climbers postponed, others just canceled altogether, all resulting in fewer permits issued.
Climbing conditions were similar to before COVID-19 but precautions about any transmission of the virus in high altitude camps resulted in more medical risks for an already dangerous climb.
What does it take to successfully climb Mount Everest?
Climbing Mount Everest requires physical stamina, mental stamina, appropriate training, and planning ahead. Climbers need to plan months sometimes years ahead of time. Often, they start getting experience on other high altitude mountains to develop skills and fitness.
Physical fitness is also important. Climbers need to be able to train their bodies for long hours of climbing in thin air, cold air that can be well below freezing and extreme weather.
Climbers must also acclimatize. While acclimatizing climbers also are moving between camps and spending weeks at time. If they do not take the time to acclimatize they could develop altitude sickness, which is one of the primary reasons people turn around.
Most climbers join guided expeditions with support of Sherpas, supplies of oxygen, and informational weather updates. They usually plan to summit at the right time which is normally during the month of May - this will assist in climbing Everest and being successful with a summit attempt.
Everest Base Camp with colorful tents below Khumbu Icefall and Himalayan peaks in Nepal
FAQs
How much does it cost to climb Mount Everest?
Climbing Everest costs on average between $30,000 to $85,000, depending on the company, gear, insurance, and other logistics.
Do you need a permit to climb Everest?
Yes! Nepal has a climbing permit requirement for all climbers which costs approximately $11,000 USD, per climber.
Do all climbers use oxygen on Everest?
Most climbers go above 8,000 meters using supplemental oxygen, but some very good climbers still choose to climb without it.
Can beginners climb Mount Everest?
No! Climbers are required to have high altitude climber experience. New climbers should attempt easier peaks first - Island Peak or Mera Peak are good options.
How long does it take to climb Everest?
A full expedition is roughly 6 to 9 weeks, including trekking, acclimatization, and summit attempts.
How cold does it get on Everest?
Near the summit, temperatures can reach -30°C (-22°F) or lower, especially during storms or the nighttime.
What are the main risks of climbing Everest?
The risks associated with climbing Everest include altitude sickness, frostbite, exhaustion, avalanches, and unpredictable weather.
Do climbers clean up after expeditions?
Yes, efforts to clean up the mountain have increased. Climbers must now adhere to waste rules, and many expeditions clean up trash and gear during their own expedtion.
Conclusion
Climbing Mount Everest has always excited individuals from every corner of the globe. As the years go by, the number of climbers climbing Everest is continuing to grow alongside successful summits of Everest. As we’ve shown throughout this blog, total Everest summits, yearly Everest summit data, and the changing trends of the climbs, Everest continues to be one of the most well-known and difficult climbs in the entire world.
Not everyone has the goal to reach the summit, and many people choose to do the trek to Everest Base Camp, which gives you great mountain views, and the ability to experience the culture of the Himalayas, without having to climb to the top. No matter if you plan to trek to base camp, or dream of reaching the summit, having the proper preparation, guidance, and safety measures will be the key to your journey.
For more information, guided trips, or support planning your next journey in the Himalayas, contact Himalayan Recreation today, and get started on the right foot!
