In reply to IvanLi:
I climbed Khan Tengri in 2014, solo/unguided. Guided packages are available but as Big Lee pointed out common practice is to buy base camp support that includes a helicopter ride, use of a pre-erected tent and three meals a day in base camp. Outside base camp you're on your own and can do as you please.
It is certainly not a crowded mountain. Once acclimatised, most spend one or two nights above base camp on their summit attempt so alpine style is the norm. Permanent fixed lines on Khan Tengri extend only above Camp 3 on the West Ridge (from around 6100m upwards). Whether you use them or not is up to you. In prep for the guided ascents in August, each year in July the guides will be acclimatising on the mountain, checking and/or replacing fixed ropes on the West Ridge and setting up small sections of fixed lines across any open cravasses or weak snow bridges lower down.
I never used the fixed lines for any upward progress – I certainly didn't take a jumar – I just climbed the mountain. On some steeper sections of the West Ridge I clipped myself to the fixed lines using a biner and daisy. Questionable whether it would have helped me in a fall but at least my body would be easy to find. I did however rap the fix lines on descent. Solo down climbing the 1000m West Ridge would have taken many hours and in a closing weather significantly changed the risk profile. I could have carried my own rope for the descent and thereby completely avoiding any use of the fixed lines but I was happy with my approach.
I actually felt ascending the fixed lines unguided would be a pretty risky endeavour. Many of the fixed ropes are damaged and aren't removed, just left to rot away. The guides put a new line in place but if you're not familiar with the climb you could arrive at a rock step with a choice of two ropes to pull up on. One might be connected to an anchor, the other might be core shot or severed. Even in descent, rapping off the end of severed fixed line would not be that difficult!
As with all big peaks, there are many other routes to the summit – mostly significantly harder – where there will be little to no beta, no other climbers, no fixed gear and certainly no fixed lines.
West Ridge is Graded Russian 5B but the technical steps are considered Scottish 3 or Alpine D. Note that it's a walk up to Camp 3 and the crux rock step may be only Scottish 3 but is at 6800m Anyhow, it was an amazing experience for me - if you're seriously considering heading out there feel free to get in touch.