Everest North Face vs South Face: Which Side is Harder, Safer & More Scenic?

At an elevation of 8,848.86 meters (29,031.7 feet), Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world. The two primary routes for ascending Everest are the south route through Nepal, and the north route through Tibet. Each route has its own experience and challenges; the north route is more remote, with limited climbers and a higher base, in a windswept landscape at very high-altitude desert. However, some climbers prefer the north route for the more stable weather, fewer climbers and lack of Khumbu icefall challenge, but face the steep second step, stricter logistical and regulations issues, and it is not as exciting as the south route. The south route is through Khumbu valley Nepal and usually provides a more colorful background, you get to feast on Sherpa Culture, think of more teahouse lodges, and better cluster of lodges and the climb is more supported through the Sherpas, but more crowded with climbers from all levels of experience, on top of the dangerous Khumbu icefall, and around the Hillary Step. Individually, all elements can be avoided in either option in a responsible way, but it is a risk/reward factor everyone will have to consider for themselves when choosing which route they want to ascend.

The South Face provides adventurers with a full immersion into rich Buddhist traditions with enthusiastic villages like Namche Bazaar as well as beautiful monasteries along the trek. The Everest North Face is less culturally appealing but still provides a sense of emptiness and nature that highlights the early 20th-century history of exploration. The decision between climbing south or north will come down to whether a climber seeks the more variable social and logistical environment of Nepal, or the remote desolation of Tibet. Regardless, both journeys will require climbers to be in excellent physical condition, and possess exceptional mental strength, and most importantly, have a deep understanding of the extreme, dangerous, and unforgiving environmental conditions that come with climbing Everest. Providing they do summit, climbers will be rewarded with unparalleled visual experiences and a life experience that very few people will achieve.

The North Face of Mount Everest, located in Tingri County, Tibet Autonomous Region, China, provides a more isolated and rugged climbing experience via the Northeast Ridge Route, with a Base Camp set at 5,150 meters (16,900 feet), slightly lower than Nepal’s South Base, but a more barren and wind-swept area. The Northeast Ridge avoids the Khumbu Icefall side, but more demands of the climber may also exist on this side, the notorious Second Step, which is a steep rock face just below the summit that requires technical climbing ability. In addition to harsher winds, little infrastructure, and greater Chinese regulations on this side of the mountain, a particularly strong appeal of this side of the mountain is its allure of being very remote and isolated, thus it attracts climbers seeking solitude and an avenue to connect to Everest’s early aerial exploration of the 20th century, along, of course, with profoundly greater self-sufficiency and endurance.

Mount Everest lies in Sagarmatha National Park, at 5,364 meters (17,598 feet) above sea level in Nepal’s Solukhumbu District, on the South Face climbing route known as the Southeast Ridge Route, which is more popular and accessible. The South Face Base Camp is at 5,364 meters (17,598 feet) latitude. Base Camp is the launching point for climbers who make their way through the treacherous yet iconic Khumbu Icefall, which is a constantly changing maze of towering seracs and deep crevasses and is one of the most dangerous parts of the ascent. This route has a long history of infrastructure, an amazing Sherpa culture, and stunning Himalayan views, and it is the choice of so many climbers because it is both the most challenging yet most well-trod path—despite its challenges, like busy climbing traffic and the risk of avalanches in the Western Cwm (pronounced “coom”).

The north face of Everest (Tibet) is an arduous but rewarding climb that provides many challenges. While the beginning of the Northeast Ridge Route is less technical than Nepal’s Mohan Icefall, climbers are still exposed to relentless winds and long sections of exposed rock, all of which require excellent endurance and mental toughness. This is especially true when an ice axe is needed to cross the rock section in exposed conditions. The main stumbling block is the notorious Second Step at an altitude of 8,610 meters (28,248 feet). It is a nearly vertical rock wall that requires technical climbing skills—especially at altitude, where the lack of oxygen makes climbing so much harder. Furthermore, the Tibetan side is colder and windier than the south, because it is open and at the altitude of a high-altitude desert. There are significantly higher risks of frostbite and longer times of exhaustion. Climbers must be aware that the summit push may take longer, and causes longer hours of exertion in the freezing cold—again, longer than going from the south. The authorities and logistical controls used on the Tibetan side were much more stringent than in Nepal, which is also assuredly less meticulously controlled. These attributes make it much better suited for experienced mountaineers who seek a more isolated and raw approach to Everest.

The South Face of Everest in Nepal is definitely considered the more technically challenging of the two routes, overall presenting more significant obstacles even for seasoned climbers. Its most famous obstacle – and its probably most dangerous – is the Khumbu Icefall, which is a dynamic maze of gigantic seracs and deep crevasses which needs careful navigation on the part of the climbers and is subject to avalanche risk at any moment. When climbers escape the icefall, they must ascend the steep, icy Lhotse Face and the exposed, windswept South Col before beginning their summit push. Due to the presence of crevasses, glaciers, avalanche risk, and highly variable weather this route is considered particularly dangerous and also requires mountaineering skills at the very least, including ice climbing; crevasse rescue; expedition and climbing experience; and physical endurance at altitude. Although better supported by logistics and Sherpa support on the south side compared to the Tibetan side, there are many layers of difficulty (and risk) in a climb up the south face with the objective dangers and congestion and delays associated with climbing seasons.

North Face (Tibet)

As climbers preparing to attempt Everest North Face in Tibet must first travel to the destination of Lhasa (by plane from mainland China – or overland from Kathmandu) and then drive to Everest Base Camp  (5,150m); with no actual trekking as in Nepal. The climbing permit is a strictly enforced process and only through the China-Tibet Mountaineering Association (CTMA) along with guides and logistics, it is required to use only Tibetan personnel during your expedition. Foreign travelers to Tibet must also obtain a Tibet Entry Permit (different from a China visa) and must travel only as part of an organized tour, permitting entrance into Tibet. Together, additional travel permits required for expeditions, and overall tighter control exerted by China for expeditions make the North Face more structured and organized, with fewer climbers trying to summit thereby making it less congested to attempt.

South Face (Nepal)

Those climbers who attempt to summit Everest via the South Face will most likely start in Kathmandu, fly to Lukla (which is home to one of the world’s most dangerous airports) and trek through the Khumbu Valley. The trek to Everest Base Camp (5,364m) is not without its scenic views and cultural experiences which include tea houses, monasteries, and local Sherpa villages. The trek to base camp will take climbers through Namche Bazaar, a vibrant Sherpa trading center, and offer mountain views of many of the great Himalayan giants, such as Ama Dablam and Lhotse.

Permits for climbers are strictly enforced: in Nepal, climbers must obtain an Everest climbing permit (which costs around $11,000 for foreigners), a Sagaramatha National Park entry permit, and a TIMS (Trekkers’ Information Management System) card. Climbers must also work with registered Nepali operators, use local Sherpas, and adhere to environmental regulations, particularly waste management requirements. The South Face has a well-established infrastructure, which simplifies logistics. Due to the route’s popularity, climbing on the South Face will also involve higher costs for climbers, larger groups, and busier conditions during peak seasons.

The South Face in Nepal is home to some of the most stunning trekking trails in the world, passing through beautiful rhododendron forests, classic Sherpa villages, and visiting some iconic places like Namche Bazaar, the hub for Himalayan trade, and the Tengboche Monastery, with the imposing Ama Dablam behind. The trek to Everest Base Camp starts with the unbelievably famous Kala Patthar, known for its amazing sunrises displaying Everest’s summit. The deep-seated Sherpa culture with trails adorned in prayer flags, and the welcoming nature of the teahouses create a rich, immersive cultural experience.

On the other hand, the North Face in Tibet is vast, high-altitude wilderness, with large plateaus, wind-swept valleys, and rugged beauty. Although it doesn’t have the villages of Nepal, it has Tibetan Buddhist monasteries, and a rugged, isolated landscape that speaks to those early explorers of the Himalayas. The Tibetan side offers a sense of isolation and grandeur, with views of the sweeping Rongbuk Glacier and the imposing north wall of Everest. Although less populated, the spiritual atmosphere paired with the strong connectedness to Tibet’s nomadic lifestyle offers a unique meditative experience.

Overall, the South Face (Nepal) is the most well-utilized and congested route on Everest where many of the climbers utilize every year. During the climbing seasons (April-May and September-October) it will often be quite full of climbers where climbing routes can become clogged up in limited mobility locations such as the Hillary Step and the Khumbu Icefall. They way that Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay took in the first confirmed summit of Everest in 1953 makes it appeal as the first summiting by climbers. Although this may have some appeal, the infrastructural development that has evolved over the years helps it be so much easier for climbers to navigate and to summerize. However, it often increased risk because there are so many climbers that can increase risk of delays, accidents or exposure to avalanches.

The North Face (Tibet) on the other hand, has a much less consatrated amount of climbers wishing to summit Everest. However, for climbers it still is challenging, but provide a less populated and more controlled route. A few climbers, with some experience also prefer the challenges of the North Face (Tibet) because it has its technical challenges i.e., Second Step without the dangers associated with the Khumbu Icefall. Although not much content was mentioned about the North Face (Tibet), regulations from Chinese governing authorities, also have tighter controls over products from permits, lofted team sizes, and logistical support for climbing to the summit of Everest, i.e., we may not higher locals as support climbers. And, lastly there are a few political sensitivities surrounding Tibet and very few commercial operators of Everest in this area, thus providing less congestion, but greater restrictions on climbing requirements.

The South Face (Nepal) benefits from superior rescue infrastructure, thanks to decades of commercial expeditions and a well-established network of experienced Sherpa guides and medical teams. In emergencies, helicopter evacuations are possible from multiple points along the trekking route—including advanced camps—significantly improving survival chances for injured or ill climbers. Nepal’s open-border policies also allow for faster emergency response coordination with international teams.

In contrast, the North Face (Tibet) has limited rescue capabilities due to China’s strict regulations, which ban helicopter evacuations on the Tibetan side. Climbers must depend on pre-arranged logistics, fixed ropes, and team support, with emergency evacuations requiring risky ground transport to lower altitudes. The remote, high-altitude desert environment further complicates rescue efforts, making self-sufficiency and careful planning critical.

South Face (Nepal) – $35,000 to $70,000

Permit Fee: ~$11,000 per climber (set by Nepal government)

Inclusions:

Why Everest South Face is More Expensive?

North Face (Tibet) – $30,000 to $50,000

Inclusions:

Why Everest North Face is Potentially Cheaper?

If you’re a first-time Everest climber or trekker, the South Face offers a more scenic, culturally immersive, and supportive journey. For seasoned mountaineers seeking a remote and challenging route, the North Face provides a quieter and more austere alternative.