The Journey to Everest

“So when are you going?”

It’s the question I get every single time I mention climbing Everest. Spoiler: I’m not climbing Everest next year. Or probably the year after that.

Taking the Long Way

There are companies out there that would happily take my money tomorrow and put me on an Everest expedition, no questions asked. But just because you can doesn’t mean you should.

Going too soon wouldn’t just be dangerous for me, it could put my teammates, guides, Sherpa and high-altitude workers at risk. I want to do this the right way: Slowly, intentionally, and with the skills and experience to earn that summit. To me, Everest isn’t just a peak to bag; it’s a responsibility.

There’s a whole ecosystem of preparation that has to happen first, and rushing would be dangerous, irresponsible, and honestly, pretty miserable. Here’s what has to come together before I can even think about standing on the roof of the world:

• Skills progression: Crevasse rescue, glacier travel, fixed ropes, ice axe techniques—these aren’t things you want to “wing.”

• Financial planning: This isn’t a $500 weekend trip. It’s going to take years of saving and strategic spending just to piece together the gear and training climbs and climbing fees.

• Physical training: Building the type of endurance needed for high-altitude mountaineering is a slow, steady grind. Unfortunately, you can’t cram for it like a college final (I was really good at that…).

Stages of the Journey

Here’s my roadmap as it stands today:

Stage 1: Build the Base (2024–2025)
It’s all about building a strong fitness foundation, testing my gear, and gaining basic glacier skills.

• Examples: Kilimanjaro ✅, Ecuador Climbing School (Cotopaxi, Cayambe, Chimborazo)

• Goal: Build endurance, test systems, and learn the fundamentals.

Stage 2: Go Higher (2026–2027)
Next, I’ll focus on pushing both my altitude tolerance and mental resilience by climbing higher and carrying heavier loads for longer.

• Examples: Aconcagua, Peak Lenin

• Goal: Adapt to 22,000+ feet while managing fatigue and logistics.

Stage 3: Technical Skills
Once my base and altitude experience are solid, I’ll move into climbs that require advanced techniques like fixed ropes, ladders, and steeper ice.

• Examples: Lhakpa Ri, Cho Oyu, Alpamayo

• Goal: Gain the technical skillset to climb safely and independently.

Stage 4: Everest
When everything comes together—skills, fitness, budget, timing, and the right team—that’s when I’ll finally be ready to take on Everest.

Where I Am Right Now

Still currently in stage one! But the next major milestone is booked: Ecuador 2026.

Between now and then, my life will be less about big, dramatic summit photos and more about the unsexy work that makes those summits possible:

• Training: Long, steady cardio (hello, stairwell at work), strength sessions, active recovery sessions, weighted endurance climbing, and one very cherished rest day.

• Gear building: Slowly investing in technical gear like boots, crampons, carabiners, sleeping bag, etc. while trying not to break my budget. Sale alerts galore!

Okay But… When Everest?

The honest answer: I don’t know.

It could be four years from now, or it could be eight. There’s a reason my project is called takingforeverest! If I had unlimited time off and a bottomless bank account, I could move through these stages much faster. But that’s not my reality.

I have a 9–5 job, limited PTO, bills to pay, and a life to live in between training sessions. This slower pace isn’t just practical, but a reminder that big dreams can grow alongside real life. It may take me longer, but that’s part of what will make it more meaningful when I finally stand on the summit.

And for now? You can find me somewhere in the stairwell at work or in the clearance section of REI.