The first expeditions left for Everest from Darjeeling, India, traveling through Tibet via old trading routes. Today, however, mountaineers typically begin their expedition in the city of Katmandu (also spelled Kathmandu ) in Nepal, which has the closest major airport to Everest. Katmandu is also the place where most expeditions hire their porters and Sherpas, either just before leaving Katmandu for Everest or during an advance trip to Nepal.

Expeditions can also buy last-minute supplies in Katmandu. Most expeditions purchase their gear in advance, then send it to the city by air or, prior to the airport's establishment, by ship or train. Nonetheless, it is not uncommon for a mountaineer to replace a broken, lost, or forgotten item after landing in Nepal. The primary place to shop for such items is Tamel, the city's tourist market area. Mountaineer Matt Dickinson calls...