KATHMANDU, Nepal: Mount Everest’s South Col, the highest camp before the summit, is heavily polluted with decades-old frozen garbage.
Despite significant cleanup efforts led by Ang Babu Sherpa and funded by the Nepal government, much work remains. Sherpa’s team recently removed 11 tons of waste, including old climbing gear and four bodies, yet an estimated 40 to 50 tons still litter the site.
The waste, primarily old tents, food packaging, gas cartridges, oxygen bottles, and ropes, has accumulated over numerous expeditions. The extreme altitude of 8,000 meters (26,400 feet) presents unique challenges, with low oxygen levels and unpredictable weather making the cleanup process arduous and dangerous.
During the latest climbing season, soldiers and Sherpas worked together to tackle the cleanup. Sherpas focused on higher-altitude areas, retrieving garbage and bodies, while soldiers operated at lower levels and base camp. The frozen waste extraction is a slow and grueling process, often requiring teams to wait for brief windows of favorable weather.
Removing bodies poses additional difficulties. One body, frozen upright in the ice, required a two-day effort to extract, with adverse weather forcing the team to retreat temporarily. Another body, located at 8,400 meters (27,720 feet), took 18 hours to transport to Camp 2, where a helicopter retrieved it for identification.
Despite regulations requiring climbers to carry out their garbage, much of the litter dates back to earlier expeditions. This highlights a longstanding issue of environmental negligence on Everest. Non-degradable items retrieved are sorted for recycling in Kathmandu, but the sheer volume of waste and harsh conditions make the cleanup a continuous battle.
The Nepal government has supported these efforts, recognizing the need for a sustained approach to address the environmental impact on the world’s highest peak. Helicopters have been crucial in transporting waste and bodies, emphasizing the logistical complexities of such operations.
While recent efforts have made a significant impact, the task of cleaning Mount Everest’s South Col is far from complete. Continued dedication and international cooperation are essential to preserve the pristine environment of this iconic mountain.
