Driven by the desire to conquer the ultimate heights and touch the sky, hundreds of adventurers have lost their lives on their first attempt, remaining forever on the “Roof of the World.”
Standing at 8,848 meters, Mount Everest has become the dream destination for thousands of climbers seeking to challenge themselves. Since Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay first reached the summit on May 29, 1953, statistics show that approximately 10,000 people have successfully conquered the peak from both the Nepalese and Tibetan sides.
However, in recent years, the impacts of climate change have caused the ice and snow to thin, exposing the bodies of hundreds of fallen climbers. Some have lain there for decades, never returned to their homelands, and may remain there forever.
The Bodies Left Along the Path
Among those on Everest this year is a group whose goal is not the summit. They are specialists dedicated to clearing tons of trash and recovering the remains of the dead. In their latest search, the team discovered five frozen, unidentified bodies, one of which was reduced to a skeleton. This is part of Nepal’s mountain cleaning campaign on Everest and its neighboring peaks, Lhotse and Nuptse.
Recovering a body requires rescuers to spend hours using axes to chip away at the ice. Occasionally, they must pour boiling water over the site just to loosen the frozen grip of the mountain.
“Due to the effects of global warming, bodies are becoming more visible as the ice and snow melt,” said Aditya Karki, a major in the Nepal Army who leads a team of 12 military personnel and 18 climbers.
More than 300 people have died on the mountain since the quest for Everest began in the 1920s. This year alone has already recorded eight fatalities. Many bodies remain; some are hidden by snow or “swallowed” by deep crevasses.
“Green Boots” and “Sleeping Beauty”
Some bodies have become famous, earning nicknames based on their climbing gear, such as “Green Boots” or “Sleeping Beauty.”
For years, Everest climbers have told stories of “Green Boots.” The victim was found in a cave about 344 meters below the summit, identifiable by his neon green climbing boots. To this day, this body serves as a grim landmark for those making the ascent.
Despite the cost and difficulty, experts note that deciding what to do with the remains is a deeply personal matter. “Most climbers want to remain on the mountain if they die. It can be seen as disrespectful to remove their remains unless they are obstructing the climbing route or the family specifically requests their return,” noted Alan Arnette, a renowned mountaineer.
A Grueling and Costly Recovery
“Bringing a body down from the summit of Everest is extremely difficult but necessary. Seeing corpses on the way to the top can have a negative psychological impact on climbers,” Major Aditya explained.
Many bodies are located in the “Death Zone,” where thin air and low oxygen levels make access incredibly difficult. Any rescue mission here is fraught with danger.
Tshiring Jangbu Sherpa, who led a recent recovery, said it took the team 11 hours to extract a body encased in ice from head to toe. Transporting the remains down the mountain is even more challenging. At high altitudes, a single body—which can weigh up to 100kg with gear and ice—requires at least eight rescuers to carry it.
“No matter how difficult it is, we must bring as many bodies down as possible. If we leave them, the mountain will soon turn into a cemetery,” Tshiring said.
According to Rakesh Gurung, an official from Nepal’s Ministry of Tourism, recovered bodies are transported to Kathmandu for identification. Those who remains unidentified may eventually be cremated.