Mount Everest Cleanup Reveals Mountains of Trash, Years of Work Ahead

A recent cleanup mission on Mount Everest has brought to light the shocking scale of waste accumulated at the world's highest peak. Led by Ang Babu Sherpa and his team, the effort removed a significant 11 metric tons (24,000 pounds) of waste, including four deceased bodies and one skeleton. 

Despite this significant achievement, it barely scratches the surface. Estimates suggest that 40-50 metric tons (88,000-110,000 pounds) of garbage remain at South Col, highlighting a long-term environmental challenge. 

The trash, consisting mainly of old tents, food packaging, oxygen canisters and climbing gear, has been accumulating for decades. The harsh conditions at high altitudes, with thin air and unpredictable weather, make cleanup a daunting task. Extracting frozen waste and recovering bodies lost in the mountains can take days of backbreaking work. 

This waste is the result of decades of expeditions dating back to when Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay first conquered Everest in 1953. The extreme conditions at South Col present enormous challenges. The weather is harsh, with temperatures plummeting, sudden blizzards, and oxygen levels about one-third of those at sea level. 

The weather conditions not only make climbing difficult but also complicate the cleanup efforts. The team had to wait for rare windows of favorable weather to thaw the ice cover enough to extract the frozen garbage. Even then, the process is painstakingly slow and labor-intensive. 

Ang Babu Sherpa explained the difficulties: “We had to wait for good weather when the sun would melt the ice cover. But waiting a long time in that attitude and conditions is just not possible. It’s difficult to stay for long with the oxygen level very low.” 

Extracting bodies frozen in the ice is particularly grueling. One body found standing upright deep within the ice near South Col, took two days to dig out. The team had to retreat to lower camps due to worsening weather conditions before resuming their efforts. 

Another body, located at an even higher altitude of 8,400 meters (27,720 feet), required 18 hours to transport to Camp 2, where a helicopter could finally airlift it. These bodies were then taken to Kathmandu's Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital for identification. 

Historically, climbers have not always been diligent about removing their waste. Although recent regulations mandate climbers to bring back their garbage or forfeit their deposits, much of the litter dates back to earlier expeditions when such rules were not in place. 

Sushil Khadga of Agni Ventures, an agency that manages recyclable waste, commented on the challenge: “At that high altitude, life is very difficult and oxygen is very low. So climbers and their helpers are more focused on saving themselves.” 

The cleanup of Mount Everest is a long-term challenge requiring sustained efforts and international cooperation. The sheer volume of waste, combined with the harsh conditions, means that the task will take years to complete.