Total beginner very much in need of advice!

I will be staying with my friend in Xi'an from June to July next year and would like to go spend some days at Mt. Huashan. I am a student who doesn't have much money (so can't afford private tour) and can't speak any mandarin. I would like to hike up the mountain, stay in a hostel, wake up and watch sunrise at East Peak, and also do the Plank Walk and see some of the other peaks before taking cable car down. How should I go about doing this and about how much do you think it will all cost? Also, what is the absolute easiest way to get from Xi'an to the mountain for someone like me? Thank you!