[jonah]

Mostly working jobs in the off-season and sponsorships like 'ghaff mentions.

It's not _that_ expensive of a hobby. Maybe $5k of gear a piece plus travel expenses for a minimal expedition like this.

[bluGill]

IT is expensive, but not in $$$ terms. You have to dedicate your life to physical training which takes a lot of time. You have to have jobs that let you take a lot of time off. Nothing that is difficult per se, but still not normal.

It is also expensive in life terms - local guides often do dangerous work making this possible.