By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Despite a long-standing waste deposit program, the issue of garbage on Mount Everest has persisted. Since 2014, climbers were required to carry a minimum amount of trash down the mountain or forfeit a deposit, but this initiative has been deemed ineffective and administratively burdensome. Officials found that the program did not adequately address waste at higher altitudes, leading to the contamination of water sources and the introduction of biohazards. Moving forward, a non-refundable cleanup fee will be implemented to fund a permanent conservation and waste management fund, including enhanced monitoring and trash collection facilities.
Read the original article here
Nepal Is Throwing Out Its Decade-Old Scheme to Clean Mount Everest
It seems the decade-old effort to clean up Mount Everest is being scrapped, and the underlying frustration surrounding the mountain’s environmental woes is palpable. For a long time, there’s been a growing concern over the sheer amount of trash left behind by climbers, a problem that has reached a critical point. The sheer scale of the waste is shocking: each climber is estimated to generate around 26 pounds of garbage during their ascent, which is then just abandoned. This accumulation of waste isn’t just an aesthetic issue; it’s a genuine environmental disaster, turning a pristine natural wonder into what some have cynically called “Mount Trashmore.”
One of the most frequently proposed solutions, and a simple one at that, is to ban bottled oxygen. The logic is straightforward: without the aid of oxygen tanks, the number of climbers would drastically reduce, as only the most highly skilled and physically capable mountaineers would attempt the summit. This, in turn, would significantly cut down on the amount of litter generated. The trails below base camp are beautiful and accessible, and offer an alternative for those who aren’t quite ready for the extreme challenge of high-altitude climbing. However, the economic reality is stark: there’s too much money tied to the tourist industry to allow such a drastic measure to come into fruition, as it would slash the market.
While a ban on oxygen may seem like a radical idea, it really highlights the core issue. Everest has become a somewhat unique mountain compared to other 8000m + mountains in that it has relatively little technical skill needed to climb it. The fact is, for a lot of people, with sufficient fitness and guided support, Everest is achievable. That’s why the current situation, with its overflowing trash and a mountain scarred by waste, is so disheartening. There’s a general consensus: the amount of rubbish in Nepal, and specifically on Everest, is becoming the country’s undoing.
The problem, however, extends beyond just waste. There are concerns surrounding the limited window for climbing and the inevitable congestion that follows. With only a couple of months each year favorable for climbing, and often just a few good weather days within that window, the summit becomes a bottleneck. The statistics highlight this: only around 10,000 people have ever summited Everest, compared to the far greater numbers who have participated in the Olympics. The fact that Everest isn’t as exclusive as some like to believe adds to the problem.
The solutions being proposed are varied and, at times, imaginative. Some suggest implementing a strict inventory system to track every item a climber brings up the mountain, with substantial fines for any missing items upon their descent. Others propose a system where climbers receive payment for bringing down extra trash. There are even more extreme ideas, like shutting down climbing altogether, using drones and helicopters to remove the waste, or introducing a hefty non-refundable deposit designed to deter less environmentally conscious climbers. There is also the suggestion that the outfitters, who profit from this whole operation, should be charged. It’s clear that there’s no single, easy answer, and any effective solution would likely require a multifaceted approach.
Of course, the idea of carrying down trash isn’t as simple as it sounds. Climbing at such extreme altitudes, in the death zone, is an incredibly demanding feat. The air is so thin that every movement is exhausting. It’s often the case that the descent is the most dangerous part of the climb, so adding the burden of extra weight would add to the risk. The discussion also touches upon other aspects, such as the potential impact of human waste that washes down when it rains.
The overall sentiment is one of disappointment and concern. The mountain is considered to be one of the most clean and pristine places on Earth. Instead, it is being tainted by the mere presence of people. This is particularly relevant, since a lot of the motivation for climbing Everest is tied to pride and a desire to say “I did this”, and not science. This focus on personal achievement is something that is thought to be contributing to the problem.
The question of costs comes up too. Climbing Everest is a luxury, costing anywhere from $45,000 to $100,000. It is suggested that if climbers are willing to spend so much money on the trip, they should be made to pay a larger fine, say $40,000, for non-compliance with waste disposal rules. A lot of the suggested ideas appear extreme, however, it is clear that many people feel that stricter measures are required.
There’s the sense that the current focus on tourism is overriding the need for environmental protection. There is also the observation that climbers, in their quest to summit, tend to prioritize their own survival over the well-being of the environment. The focus, in the end, needs to be changed.
The good news is that there are some promising developments on the horizon. Drones are being used to transport trash from the mountain, which could accelerate the cleanup. This will, hopefully, help to alleviate some of the waste issues. The use of drones provides a glimmer of hope that the tide may soon turn. There are even videos to show that Camp 4 is nothing but piss and shit everywhere.