Why is climbing K2 and Mount Everest so expensive?

There are 2 questions here: What are the expenses involved in climbing Everest / K2? Might someone else pay those expenses? Answer to question 1: The following tables list the expenses that are typically incurred in attempting Mount Everest from the south side. read more

Permits start at $11,000. This is in main part due to the demand to climb the peak. K2 and Everest are also normally climbed expediton style, with lot’s of equipment, guides, porters and other items to make the ascent possible. This is partly why Everest has a reputation for being a peak where people “pay their way to the top”. read more

When you're on the actual climb, K2 is shaped like a triangle so it's demanding 110% day one, whereas Everest, there's twists and turns, so it's not always climbing steep. Weather is much more unpredictable on K2 and I would say the technical climbing on K2 is hard so Everest has the Hillary step, which everyone's heard about, that's one obstacle. read more

And its good that peaks like Everest are so expensive, at least the sincere and deserving get a chance to visit the peak and achieve their dreams. Also, pollution and garbage or waste disposal is also a major problem on the peak. read more