thinking about climbing Mt Everest?

Have you ever dreamt of one day climbing Mount Everest, if only you could muster the guts to attempt it? Well, a thirst for adventure isn’t all you’ll need. The journey to Earth’s highest summit also requires a considerable wad of cash—more than most people might think.

Experienced climber Alan Arnette of Outside magazine outlined the different options for ascending the highest Himalayan peak. Those options are as follows: go it alone and put together your own expedition, join a logistics-only expedition, or, the priciest route, join a fully-guided expedition.

According to Arnette’s estimates, the absolute lowest possible cost, without sacrificing safety, would be around $35,000. And that’s if you go as part of a seven-person team. To fly solo, expenses would total around $60,000. Gear, food, oxygen and tents aren’t the only necessities, Arnette explains. Each expedition must also pay for a permit, liaison officer, visa, park fee, waste deposit, insurance—not to mention a ticket to Nepal. Climbing solo could cost you up to $83,000. In other words, two years at NYU or five Toyota Corollas.

On the other hand, guided expeditions allow climbers to split some costs. Still, the “full service” trips can top $100,000 when you factor in tipping your guides and splurging on luxuries like sushi, open bars or oxygen. Fully-guided trips also offer more support to less experienced explorers. Logistics-only, partially-guided expeditions can cost just south of $30,000, but are only recommended to seasoned climbers.

If you opt to fly solo, according to Arnette’s estimates, at the high end of the spectrum that will total $82,900. Still feeling intrepid? For that cost, you could get a new Audi A8, a three-bedroom house in Schenectady, N.Y., or 150 iPads.

(thanks to Time Magazine for this info)