Tons of frozen waste - Clean-up work on Mount Everest will probably take years
Two tons of garbage, four bodies, and a skeleton were removed from Mount Everest by a team of soldiers and Sherpas this mountain season. Led by the Nepalese government-funded crew headed by Ang Babu Sherpa, they stated that there could still be 40 to 50 tons of garbage at the South Col camp, the last camp before the summit attempt. The removal process is proving to be challenging.
The weather poses a significant challenge for their work in the South Col region, where the oxygen content is only one-third of the normal value, winds can turn into snowstorms, and temperatures in the tents can drop. "We had to wait for good weather for the sun to melt the ice. But under these conditions, it's simply not possible to wait for long periods," he said. "It's difficult to stay for long periods at such low oxygen levels." Excavating the garbage is also a significant task since it is frozen in the ice, and breaking the blocks is not an easy feat.
Primarily, the garbage consists of old tents, food packaging, gas cylinders, oxygen cylinders, tent packaging, and ropes used for climbing and securing tents. The frozen garbage lies in layers at 8,000 meters high, where the camp at the South Col is located. "Most of the garbage comes from older expeditions," Ang Babu added. Furthermore, "The oldest waste we received was from 1957, and it was rechargeable batteries for pocket lamps."
Mount Everest: Expeditions demand Garbage Bond
It took two days to excavate a body near the South Col that was deeply frozen in the ice. Halfway through, the team had to retreat to a lower camp due to worsening weather conditions and could only resume work once the weather improved. Another body was located at 8,400 meters, and it took 18 hours to transport it to the camp, where a helicopter picked it up.
Clean-up operations in the Himalayas have been led by the Nepalese army since 2019. Soldiers and Sherpas reportedly collected approximately 120 tons of garbage from various mountains, along with 14 bodies and several skeletons. Additionally, there are incentives for people to bring garbage down from the mountain. Sherpa guides, for instance, receive $130 for an empty oxygen tank. This can then be reused.
Expedition organizations now demand a $4,000 ($3,700 Euro) deposit from tourists, which is withheld if they are caught leaving garbage on the mountain. However, this is a negligible amount compared to the average cost of a Mount Everest ascent-descent: These typically range from €50,000 to €100,000 per person. Included in these packages are expenses for equipment, oxygen tanks, tents, domestic flights, food, and a local Sherpa team.
See the video: Initially, local authorities aimed to limit mass tourism on Mount Everest. Now, footage shows climbers standing in lines this year.
Sources: Associated Press, dpa
- The Associated Press reported that the World Health Organization expressed concerns about the health risks posed by the mounting garbage on Mount Everest, including at the infamous South Col camp.
- Despite the challenges, the Headlines highlighted the ongoing efforts of Sherpa guides to clean up the Himalaya's Landfill, with the Nepalese government and Associated Press Associates providing support.
- In an effort to reduce waste on Mount Everest, the top news of the day featured a new initiative where expedition organizations now require a Garbage Bond of $4,000 from tourists to discourage littering.
- Mount Everest, once a symbol of adventure and wonder, has become a grim reminder of human waste, with images of tents, food packaging, and old climbing equipment littered on the slopes, as seen in the Associated Press's top news.
- The Cleaning of Mount Everest has become an Associated Press Top News item, as the team of Sherpas and soldiers work tirelessly to remove the Garbage accumulated at the summit from the Himalayas, aiding in revitalizing the beauty and serenity of Mount Everest and the surrounding regions.
