South Col on Mount Everest Faces Massive Cleanup; 11 Tons of Garbage Removed

Jul 6, 2024, 05:24 PM

Mount Everest's highest camp, South Col, is heavily littered with garbage, posing a significant environmental challenge. A Nepal government-funded team comprising soldiers and Sherpas successfully removed 11 tons (24,000 pounds) of garbage, four dead bodies, and a skeleton during this year's climbing season. The cleanup effort, led by Ang Babu Sherpa, revealed that much of the waste included old tents, food packaging, gas cartridges, oxygen bottles, tent packs, and ropes. Despite these efforts, it is estimated that 40-50 tons (88,000-110,000 pounds) of garbage still remain at the camp, and the cleanup is expected to take years due to the harsh conditions and the altitude of 8,000 meters (26,400 feet).