When is the Best Time for an Expedition?
The Mount Everest summit is battered by the Jet Stream for most of the year. Successful summits are only possible during brief 'windows' of calm weather. Understanding this is key to any expedition.
Mid-to-late May is the primary summit window. The winds die down before the monsoon arrives. This is when 90% of Everest summits occur. The trails are busy with Everest trekking support teams.
A shorter, colder window exists in October. While popular for trekking, fewer expeditions attempt the summit now due to shorter days and high winds. It offers a quieter Everest trekking experience.
Summiting in winter is incredibly rare and dangerous. Monsoon brings snow and zero visibility. Avoiding these seasons is rule #1 for any commercial Mount Everest expedition.
Your life depends on the forecast. Modern expeditions use sophisticated meteorology to pick the exact day to stand on top of the world.
