World’s peak package deal
QUESTION How much does it cost to ascend Everest via the escorted ‘easy’ route?
At 29,029 ft, Mount Everest is the highest and most famous mountain in the world. It is also one of the most accessible giants, attracting hundreds of climbers during the annual climbing window between April and May.
In a typical season, more than 600 people reach the summit of Everest, about half of those who attempt it. twothirds do it from the south side in Nepal, while the rest approach from Chinaoccupied tibet to the north.
Climbing Everest is unrestricted — you just need to be able to afford it.
travel costs may be as low as £1,000, but can reach £5,000. this includes air fare and transport to base camp, which involves the hiring of a few yaks.
You will also need food, and excellent climbing gear to stay warm. More than 95 per cent of summiteers require supplemental oxygen, costing £7,000 to £15,000.
the permit cost is £8,360 per climber from Nepal. the Chinese charge £7,300 per person for a team permit of four or more, but for groups with three or fewer members, the cost skyrockets to £15,000 per person. the all-important guides and Sherpas can cost anywhere between £23,000 and £65,000. Most climbers opt for a package deal. the London-based Himalayan Experience (Himex) charges £53,000 for an ascent with western guides. Seven Summits treks, a Nepali organisation, charges just £30,000.
Jeanette Marsh, Bath.
QUESTION Have any public schoolboys played Premier League football?
FrANk LAMpArd, a Chelsea legend, Liverpool’s Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, formerly of Arsenal, and Watford midfielder Will Hughes went to public school.
Lampard, Chelsea’s all-time record goal scorer, attended Brentwood School in Essex, which charges £37,128 per annum for boarders. He has 12 GCSEs at A or A* including an A* in Latin.
After he took an intelligence test in 2009, Chelsea’s club doctor revealed he had an IQ of ‘well above 150’, putting him in the top 0.5 per cent of the world’s population. Albert Einstein’s IQ was 160.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain attended the independent St John’s College in Southsea, portsmouth, with annual boarding fees of £27,000.
Will Hughes is an alumnus of the £ 36,000- a- year repton School in derbyshire, where he was a boarder on a sports scholarship. repton is known for having some of the best footballing facilities in the country.
Bill Turner, Leighton Buzzard, Beds. ONE of the most heartening examples is that of Crystal palace, Wigan and Chelsea player Victor Moses.
He was born in Lagos, Nigeria, the son of a Christian pastor. He was orphaned aged 11 when his parents were killed in religious riots in kaduna.
After claiming asylum in Britain, he went to Stanley technical High School. But on getting a place in Crystal palace’s academy, the club recommended him to fee-paying Whitgift School in Croydon, Surrey, where former Arsenal and Chelsea player Colin pates was coach. Whitgift gave him a full scholarship.
the school has since helped another premier League star, Chelsea’s Callum Hudson-Odoi, reach his potential.
Pat Kennedy, Salisbury, Wilts.
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