From Day-Hiker to the Death Zone

writer, photographer,
& accidental mountaineer.

hi, i’m katie.

lover of dogs, basketball, football, pizza, oxford commas, and diet coke.

A woman sitting on large rock formations with a mountain range in the background, framed by a natural rock arch.

In 2016, as I sat in my office cubicle, I stumbled across Adrian Ballinger and Cory Richards’ Everest climb on Snapchat. I followed along religiously, and watched every. single. Snap. I was officially hooked.

Nine years later, I stood on top of Kilimanjaro, and something… clicked. Like a puzzle piece that had finally found its home. This is where I belong.

On that first big climb, our guides often said “Pole pole”—Swahili for “slowly, slowly.” It became my mantra and the perfect, self-deprecating summary of this entire project. The journey isn’t about bagging summits. No, it’s about growing into the climber (and person) who can actually handle the world’s biggest mountain (without dying!), one ridiculously difficult step at a time.

TakingForEverest is my mission statement: one mountain, one specific skill, one grueling training session, and one hard-earned paycheck at a time.

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Balancing Everest Preparation with the 9-5 Grind

Transparency, Trust, and Partnership Opportunities

Let's be candid: I am not a trust fund baby, a professional climber, or currently sponsored by Red Bull. This mountain costs a fortune, and I still have to pay my mortgage. I am preparing for the biggest physical challenge on Earth while still clocking in at 8 a.m.

Yes, part of the transparency acknowledging that this goal is financially impossible without partners. To climb Everest responsibly, I need support. By sharing the full, unvarnished story, I am actively seeking sponsors whose values and products align with the integrity of this massive effort.

I’m sharing this journey with all sides of the story—the fear, the failures, the true financial cost (which might be the most horrifying part!), and the gear that actually works. Why?

  1. Accountability (For Me): Speaking my dreams out loud keeps me accountable.

  2. Permission (For You): Maybe it gives someone else permission to believe in their big, scary, long-haul dream.

  3. Transparency (For Partners): This multi-year arc is a transparent, real-world testing ground. If you’re a brand that makes the best jacket, pack, or trekking pole, I’m the person who is going to rely on it, try to break it, and tell a highly engaged audience exactly how it performed.

My Multi-Year Everest Preparation Plan

This is the meticulously slow plan that will ruin my weekends for the foreseeable future:

  • Learn the Basics (2025-26): Technical training, crevasse rescue, and spending obscene amounts of time in the gym (and on smaller peaks).

  • Level Up: Push the limits even higher and gain more expedition experience and independence on 7,000m peaks.

  • Test High-Altitude Expeditions (8,000m): Serious climbs to see how my brain handles severe hypoxia and how my gear holds up.

  • The Big One: Everest: Slow, steady, deliberate. (And hopefully well-sponsored.)

Snow-covered mountain peak with clouds and sunlight
Snow-capped mountains under a clear blue sky, with a brown, grassy foreground and rocky slopes.
Snow-covered plains leading to rugged, snow-capped mountains under a clear blue sky.
Snow-covered mountain range with a prominent peak, rocky foreground, and partly cloudy sky.

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Sponsors & Partnerships

FAQ

  • The total estimated cost of a safe, guided expedition to Mount Everest is currently between $60,000 and $100,000+. My goal is to break down this intimidating financial reality by documenting the cost of every stage, from the initial gear purchases to the guide service fees. I am funding this through my 9-5 side hustle, intensive long-term savings, and—crucially—by partnering with ethical brands who share this vision.

  • Training is primarily split between sea-level endurance work (running, weighted pack hikes) and high-altitude conditioning. Current training grounds include the wonderfully flat Cincinnati, Ohio and upcoming major expeditions to Ecuador's volcanoes then intermediate 7,000-meter and 8,000-meter peaks (specific peak announcements will be posted when booked). Every location serves as a transparent test site for gear performance.

  • For someone like me starting from a day-hiker level, the process is a marathon, not a sprint. My current plan is a multi-year journey (5+ years) dedicated to skill acquisition (technical climbing, crevasse rescue), financial savings, and building the necessary high-altitude experience required for a safe summit attempt on Mount Everest.

  • The next confirmed major expedition is to the high-altitude peaks of Ecuador (Cayambe, Cotopaxi, Chimborazo) to practice movement and acclimatization above 18,000 feet.

  • There are three main ways to help me stay on track:

    1. Engage: Read, comment, and share my posts! Every share helps expand our community and reach potential partners, and keeps me motivated to keep working!

    2. Subscribe: Join the newsletter to receive training updates and early access to gear reviews.

    3. Partner: If you represent a brand interested in long-term, candid gear testing and exposure, please visit my dedicated Sponsor & Partnership Page for opportunities.