Something that will not sound strange to us at all is the waste that we leave behind wherever we go, and more on a mountain like Everest where the garbage left by climbers It is causing pollution and allowing certain diseases to spread up the highest mountain in the world.
The waste left by the climbers are becoming a big problem according to the head of a Nepalese mountaineers association. The more than 700 climbers and guides who spend about 2 months on the peaks of Everest in each climbing session leave large piles of feces and urine, and from what it seems this problem is not being solved. This association told the Nepalese government that something needs to be done now to strip such a mountain of this waste.
Garbage on Everest: a growing problem
Hundreds of foreign climbers try to climb Everest during the perfect season for it, which starts in April and lasts until May. The previous season was cancelled due to the tragedy that occurred when 16 local guides lost their lives in an avalanche.
The climbers are they spend weeks acclimatizing near the 4 fields arranged between base camp at 5.297 metres and the summit at 8.848 metres. The lack of adequate infrastructure, such as toilets, leads climbers to relieve themselves directly on the mountain.Climbers usually dig holes in the snow for their needs and leave the debris there."explains Tshering, a Nepalese mountaineer, who says that this waste has been accumulating for years around the four camps.
Waste management at base camp
At base camp, where most of the porters and supplies for the climbing session are located, Stores used as toilets are usedOnce full, the contents of these tents are transported to an area where they are disposed of more appropriately. However, this system is only partial and does not cover the upper camps, so problems persist.
From the Government of Nepal rules have been launched for each climber, such as those imposed in 2014, which include the obligation to take down 8 kilograms of rubbish at the end of the expedition, a measure that is still insufficient. It is estimated that Each person generates, on average, about 8 kg of garbage, including empty oxygen cylinders, tents and other waste.
Environmental impact of human waste
Something as simple as defecating on the mountain has become a serious problem. Every year, hundreds of kilograms of human excrement are left abandoned on the mountain between the different high-altitude camps, something that is causing serious contamination, not only of the soil, but also of the water, since feces contaminate glaciers, which are sources of water for nearby villages.
According to estimates by the Nepalese government, the number of people climbing Everest doubled between 2016 and 2019, reaching a record number of expeditionaries. This overcrowding has caused Thousands of liters of urine are spilled every season on the snow and nearby glaciers. This situation is worrying the authorities, who are already considering moving the base camp to a safer and less environmentally fragile area.
Diseases caused by pollution
In addition to environmental problems, mountaineers face other dangers arising from the garbage left on the mountain. The presence of human waste particles in the air It is a hotbed of intestinal and respiratory infections, which are common among climbers. This is added to the intrinsic risks of the mountains, such as low temperatures and lack of oxygen.
The famous mountaineer Adrian Ballinger, after an expedition, declared that "Beyond the traditional dangers of the mountain, Everest is becoming an unhealthy place, where climbers step on frozen excrement and melt contaminated snow to drink.«. This is a reflection of the huge health risk faced by both climbers and the Sherpas accompanying them.
Clean-up campaigns: an insufficient effort
Over the past few years, various organizations and governments have carried out clean-up campaigns on Everest, removing tons of waste. Despite these efforts, the problem is still present and It is estimated that there are still more than 50 tons of garbage left dispersed, mainly in high altitude camps.
For example, in the spring 2023 season, authorities reported that 75 tons of waste were collected, including 21.507 kg of human waste and almost 9.996 kg of kitchen waste. Sherpas, a key part of these clean-up campaigns, face the difficult task of removing waste left by tourists, many of whom prefer to pay fines rather than return with their trash.
Possible solutions to the garbage problem
In 2014, the government implemented a rule requiring climbers to pay a $4.000 deposit, refundable only if at least 8kg of rubbish is brought down. Although this system has helped reduce the amount of rubbish left on the mountain, many feel it is not enough. Some expedition operators prefer to pay the fine and leave the rubbish at the higher camps.
Proposals to mitigate this problem include:
- Improving monitoring and control at high altitude camps to ensure that climbers comply with regulations.
- Mandatory use of biodegradable bags for human waste, which would be collected at base camp.
- Waste treatment systems more advanced, such as the installation of biogas plants that convert waste into energy or fertilizer.
While these measures take time and effort to implement properly, they are necessary steps to protect one of the world's natural wonders.
Everest is a symbol of achievement and adventure for many, but increasing pollution threatens to destroy its ecosystem. If more drastic action is not taken, the world's highest mountain could become the planet's largest garbage dump, and the effects of pollution will affect not only the climbers, but also the populations living in the surrounding areas.