You're being upvoted, but, what experience do you have mountaineering training? Any? Have you even got hiking experience
It feels like you're just saying stuff that simply sounds valid, but is distorted.
- A good company costs 60K minimum, and another 20K if you want 4L of oxygen.
- No, you cant just spend 60K and climb either. Nobody will take you.
- You MUST have 7000m experience, which eliminates mountains like Island Peak and Mera (which was the FULL intention), and it means you have experience staying overnight at altitude.
- Don't speak on behalf of the locals. I personally knew 2 different Sherpas who want to climb Everest. One did, the other wanted to (and hopefully has already). Operating as a guide allows them to achieve this
- Preparing the camps is a matter of time primarily. Summit guides have the advantage of living at 4000m+, so it saves a lot of time.
- You still carry your own gear at 8000m+ which is basically 30% Oxygen, and you cannot acclimatise.
- Clients still do many acclimatisation climbs. Getting the camps prepared is basically a matter of time (months).
- Whilst I agree a lot of it is just rich people trying to get attention, don't underestimate the level of fitness it takes. Based on my experience a huge number of people can't even get to base camp (which is only 5400m). People doing Everest don't simply wake up and do acclimatisation walks. Even at 6000M, you're at 40% Oxygen, and its already a bit hard to breath.. Every step feels a lot harder
- Staying at the camps isn't as luxurious as you think lol. That being said, at places like Island Peak Base camp, it actually takes hours to go fetch water. The Base Camp manager handles that
- Good companies still pay sherpas the FULL amount even if summit/climbing is completely cancelled for the year.
- I haven't climbed Everest, but, don't underestimate the fear of being dropped off in a glacier for the first time, and being told you'll fall into a crevasse at some point during training. It takes courage too. I have done a large ladder crossing. And, suspect you know what it's like to wake up and midnight, start climbing, and simply just hope things are ok