Mount Everest, the highest mountain in the world, stands tall on the border between Nepal and Tibet (China) in the Himalayas. Its height above sea level is a staggering 8,848 meters. However, the effects of climate change have led to the disappearance of snow and ice on its slopes, revealing the remains of hundreds of climbers who lost their lives in their quest to reach the summit.
A team of 12 soldiers and 18 climbers has been tasked with the mission of recovering and bringing down the forgotten human remains. They have already recovered five frozen bodies, including a skeleton, which they took to Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. Two of the bodies have been pre-identified by the Nepal Ministry of Tourism, and some will be cremated.
The task is perilous, as the team must navigate the treacherous terrain and extreme weather conditions to reach the bodies. Many have died on Everest since expeditions began in the 1920s, with eight fatalities in the last season alone. The Nepal Army attributes the increased visibility of bodies to climate change, which is causing the snow cover to decrease.
Bodies were left at the scene, some hidden by snow or in deep crevices, while others are still visible in their climbing gear, earning nicknames like “Green Boots” or “Sleeping Beauty”. The “death zone” is particularly challenging, where low oxygen levels increase the health risk and can be fatal if left there for too long. In one instance, it took 11 hours to free a body trapped in ice using hot water and an axe.
The high-altitude body recovery process is controversial in the climbing community, as it is expensive, requiring thousands of dollars and up to eight rescuers for each body. Transporting heavy loads at high altitudes is difficult, and a corpse can weigh over 100 kilograms. The mountain clean-up campaign has a budget of over $600,000 and has mobilized 171 Nepalese guides and porters to recover 11 tonnes of waste.
The team has encountered a range of debris, including fluorescent tents, climbing equipment, empty gas cylinders, and even human excrement, on the path leading to the summit.