Thousands of climbers have scaled Mount Everest since it was first conquered in 1953, leaving behind more than just footprints. The highest camp on the world’s tallest mountain, South Col, is littered with 40-50 tons of garbage, along with dead bodies frozen for years. A team of soldiers and Sherpas funded by the Nepal government worked tirelessly during this year’s climbing season to remove 11 tons of garbage, four bodies, and a skeleton from Everest.
The team faced dangerous conditions, including low oxygen levels, blizzard-like winds, and freezing temperatures, making the task of cleaning up the mountain incredibly challenging. Among the garbage left behind were old tents, food packaging, gas cartridges, oxygen bottles, tent packs, and ropes used for climbing.
In recent years, a government requirement for climbers to bring back their garbage or lose their deposits, along with increased environmental awareness among climbers, has significantly reduced the amount of trash left on the mountain. However, much of the garbage that remains is from older expeditions, dating back to the early days of Everest climbing.
The team diligently collected garbage and bodies from higher-altitude areas, while soldiers worked at lower levels and the base camp area during the popular spring climbing season. The 11 tons of garbage removed were sorted for recycling, with decomposable items taken to villages near Everest’s base and the rest transported to Kathmandu for recycling.
Despite the challenges, the team’s efforts have brought to light the issue of garbage pollution on Everest and the importance of preserving the mountain’s pristine environment for future climbers.
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