JACKSON, Wyo. — Snow King Mountain hosted intrepid hikers over the weekend for the first-ever Jackson Hole edition of 29029 Everesting, during which participants repeatedly hiked up the mountain to simulate the physical challenges of hiking Mount Everest.
Hikers signed up for the challenge of walking up Snow King’s boot pack 19 times over 36 hours, with each trip notching 1,571 vertical feet over 1.1 miles to eventually reach a cumulative distance of more than 29,029 feet, the height of Everest. Everesters rode the gondola down each time before heading back up the mountain.
A representative for 29029 Everesting confirmed that 264 climbers participated, and 185 of them “reached the full 19 ascents.”
Hiking commenced at 6 a.m. on Friday and carried on through the night, with hikers required to wear headlamps. The climbing wrapped up at 6 p.m. on Saturday, followed by a celebratory party.
Participants each ponied up $4,995 for registration, which covered three nights at Snow King Resort Hotel, all food and beverages (including alcohol), a 20-week training guide, massage therapists, event swag and access to an online forum.
The event is expected to return to Jackson in 2024. Everesting events continue this year in such locations as Snowbasin Resort in Utah, Stratton Mountain in Vermont and Blackcomb Mountain in Whistler, British Columbia.
