All in all, it’s something I won’t do but since the 1996 tragedy, I’ve been fascinated with the yearly summit attempts in May. I calculated that there is a 5% death rate for all people getting permits to climb Everest. I also understand that it’s not THAT tough of a climb technically (relative to other mountains, though Everest sports the Dead Zone and other fun features) and for $60,000-$100,000 you can have a guide and a Sherpa help you do it.
That said, it is one of the toughest exercises on earth. The weather is unpredictable, the altitude reaches into the jet stream and the winds are correspondingly fierce, there is a constant threat of avalanches, hypoxia, and killing frostbite, as well as pulmonary and cerebral edema.
It is not for the faint of heart.