Many climbers have lost their lives attempting to conquer Everest, their bodies becoming haunting symbols of the mountain.
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Green Boots – Tsewang Paljor: In 1996, Indian climber Tsewang Paljor embarked on his journey to summit Everest but never returned due to a blizzard during his descent. His body remained in a cave at 8,500 meters on the route to the summit. With his distinctive green climbing boots, he became a tragic landmark known internationally as “Green Boots.” In 2014, the Chinese Tibetan Mountaineering Association moved Paljor’s body off the main path and buried it under snow and rock at his family’s request. Photo: Swotah Travel
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Sleeping Beauty – Francys Arsentiev: In 1998, American climber Francys Arsentiev and her husband, Sergei, pursued their dream of summiting Everest without supplemental oxygen. Though they reached the top, they became separated in the dark during their descent due to exhaustion. Sergei went back to find his wife and disappeared, later found dead. Francys was discovered by other climbers in a dying state but could not be saved due to the harsh conditions. Her body remained on the main route for nine years, earning the tragic nickname “Sleeping Beauty.” In 2007, a climber who had met her returned, moved her body to a more secluded spot for her final rest, closing the tragic chapter of one of Everest’s bravest female climbers. Photo: People
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Shriya Shah-Klorfine: Shriya Shah-Klorfine was one of 12 victims of the deadly 2012 Everest climbing season, one of the deadliest since the 1996 disaster. The female athlete successfully summited the “roof of the world” but made the fatal mistake of lingering too long at the summit to celebrate and take photos. This depleted her critical oxygen reserves for the descent. On her way down, Shriya collapsed from exhaustion and died at nearly 8,000 meters. Her body, covered with a Canadian flag by those who passed by, remained on the mountain for some time before a rescue team brought it down to base camp and off Everest.
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Scott Fischer: The 1996 blizzard also claimed the life of experienced climber Scott Fischer. During his expedition with the Mountain Madness group, Fischer reached the summit. However, he became exhausted and urged his team to descend as the storm hit, knowing he would slow them down. Photo: Ultimate Kilimanjaro
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George Mallory: Considered the first to explore Everest, Mallory undertook expeditions in 1921, creating maps and routes but failing to summit. In 1924, he returned determined to reach the top. He was last seen leaving Camp 4 on June 8. His body was only discovered in 1999. Photo: All That’s Interesting
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David Sharp: In 2006, David Sharp attempted a solo climb. Some reports claim he successfully summited, though this remains unverified. Sharp never returned to tell his story. His body was found next to “Green Boots” in a small cave. Some speculate he stopped to rest or take shelter and froze to death. Photo: All That’s Interesting
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Hannelore Schmatz: Exhaustion led to the death of Hannelore Schmatz. She climbed with her husband, Gerhard, but they split into separate groups to complete the journey. Her group reached the summit but descended in harsh weather. Hannelore stopped to rest with another climber, Ray Genet, who died that night. She continued descending but succumbed to exhaustion just 100 meters from Camp 4. An attempt to recover her body in 1984 failed, and it is now covered by snow. Photo: All That’s Interesting
According to the Himalayan Database, over 10,800 expeditions have been undertaken since 2020. For many, Everest is the ultimate test of courage and skill. For others, it’s a lifelong dream. Thus, climbers continue to flock to Everest each year. In recent history, the mountain has claimed over 300 lives, with about two-thirds—roughly 200 bodies—believed to still remain on its slopes.