Sherpas reporting Everest's highest camp is full of frozen garbage, cleanup to last for years

In a recent effort to clean up the highest camp on Mount Everest, a team of soldiers and Sherpas funded by the Nepal government removed 11 tons of garbage, four dead bodies, and a skeleton during this year's climbing season. The garbage left behind included old tents, food packaging, gas cartridges, oxygen bottles, tent packs, and climbing ropes, all frozen at the 8,000-meter altitude of the South Col camp. Despite efforts to reduce waste through regulations and increased environmental awareness among climbers, significant cleanup challenges persist due to the harsh weather conditions and high altitude. Ang Babu Sherpa, who led the cleanup team, highlighted the difficulty of working in the South Col area where oxygen levels are low, winds can quickly turn to blizzards, and temperatures plummet. The team faced challenges in digging out the frozen garbage, with one body found in a standing position deep in the ice. The cleanup operation required strategic planning around weather windows and physical limitations imposed by the extreme conditions. The team's efforts involved transporting three tons of decomposable items to villages near Everest's base, while the remaining eight tons were carried by porters, yaks, and trucks to Kathmandu for recycling. The oldest waste recovered dated back to 1957, underscoring the long-standing environmental impact of climbers on the mountain. Despite progress in waste management practices, the cleanup of Everest's highest camp is expected to be a long-term endeavor, with estimates suggesting there could still be 40-50 tons of garbage remaining at the site. The cleanup operation serves as a reminder of the ongoing environmental challenges posed by human activity in remote and fragile ecosystems like Mount Everest. As climbers continue to flock to the world's tallest mountain, efforts to mitigate waste and preserve the natural beauty of the region remain crucial for the sustainability of future expeditions and the protection of the mountain's delicate ecosystem.