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Nestled inside the Solukhumbu district of Nepal Mount Everest the highest point on Earth, has always captivated the minds of adventure seekers, climbers and geologists alike. Every year, hundreds if not thousands of brave souls from around the globe embark on the journey to conquer the majestic summit. While on the surface we only hear about the tales of triumph and perseverance, the journey to the top of the world is much more gruelling. Things like extreme cold, lack of oxygen, and falling debris are a constant fear among the ones that dared, but one thing no one speaks much about is the - pooping on Mount Everest.
The Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Municipality has announced new rules that prohibit climbers from urinating or excreting waste outdoors. In that area, it is required to carry your biodegradable bags. The local level has developed this system for trash management within its authority, according to Rakesh Gurung, the director of the Department of Tourism’s Adventure Tourism and Mountaineering Branch. He stated that all climbers ought to abide by the decision made following consultation with the appropriate authorities.
In this blog, we delve into the unspoken challenges and unique solutions climbers face when nature calls amidst the world's highest mountains.
Mountains above 8000 meters, are some of the most remote and inaccessible places on earth, meaning it has little to no human settlement. Which means there is no proper infrastructure to sustain human life. But even so, thrill seekers, climbers, and enthusiasts opt to endure it until the end.
Around 500 people make their way up to the mountains every day. The climbers who make their way up urinate and excavate in the snow. Even though they dig holes in lower levels is it very difficult to do so in higher levels because there is hardly any snow and ice. Only a few people make an effort to bring back their excretes to the base camp whereas others leave it there on the surface of mountains. Due to high temperatures, it doesn’t allow the excretes and human waste to fully degrade so rubbish remains a huge issue causing the mountains to stink.
However, something can’t be held for long, which causes a problem. As said earlier, due to the remoteness of the place there is no infrastructure to sustain human life, which also holds for waste management. Hence, climbers’ in the past had to do their business in the open, which over time piled up and led to another problem - poop being everywhere. Due to the subzero temperature, the poop could not decompose, so the mountain began to stink.
No official figures have been found yet, but it is estimated there are about 3 tons of human excretion still on Mount Everest.
Climbers typically dig holes in snow to relieve themselves while climbing a mountain. But as they ascend into the higher atmosphere, it isn’t feasible to do so because climbers are precisely dressed in multiple layers of clothing. They are often attached to a fixed rope and are on frozen rocks which also makes it impossible for them to excavate in the snow like they used to. Also, rising temperatures have thinned glaciers resulting to have fewer and smaller crerasses. Therefore, less snow on the surfaces makes it difficult for climbers to dig holes.
Open toilets have become a big issue as there is a lot of human waste left on the mountains which doesn’t degrade properly due to temperature in the high altitudes. The excretes left by climbers are affecting other mountaineer’s health and even the communities nearby as they can’t dig holes after they reach higher which makes the human stools visible on the rocks. Even communities and base camps below the mountains are polluted due to overflowing waste spilling downwards.
Due to rising temperature, there is very less snow on the high level of mountains which create difficulties for climbers to dig holes for excavating. They have to do it openly so the human waste left behind on mountains are creating issues as it doesn’t degrade properly which is making other people making their way up the mountain fall ill. Being a vast natural space, it is not possible to provide any dustbin or toilet and very few people make effort to carry and bring their waste back. Hence, human waste remains a big issue.
Every year, around 800 people climb up the Mt. Everest. The highest peak is now littered with a significant amount of human waste. The slopes of Everest are covered with tons of human excretes and other wastes left behind by the climbers who were unable to dispose the waste due to lack of proper infrastructures and other extreme conditions. There is approximately 5400 kilograms of human waste found on the peak. Micro plastic pollution and human excretes has badly affected Everest.
Mountains are being polluted by human waste left behind by climbers. Due to high temperatures the excretes are not fully decomposed which has even affected the health of climbers and the communities living below the mountains. As per the new rules, climbers are supposed to carry around their own poop bag and bring it back to their base camp. The specialized poo bags contain chemicals and powders that helps to solidify human waste and make it odorless. Providing two bags to each climbers, which can be used five to six times over the course of their two weeks in upper camps.
In recent years, there has been a growing focus on the principle “Leave No Trace”, which urges everyone to minimise their environmental impact for the future generation. This principle extends even to Mount Everest, where the fragile ecosystem is already under immense pressure from a huge influx of climbers and adventure seekers in recent years. Proper waste disposal is a very crucial aspect of the Leave No Trace principle, but at high altitudes, managing any kind of waste let alone human waste presents unique challenges.
The traditional approach of burying waste in a hole is not practical on Everest's icy slopes, where digging is impossible, but even if it were possible it would not be a good idea as due to the subzero temperature at the summit decomposition will not occur. As a result, climbers must rely on alternative methods such as carrying out their waste down the mountain or using designated waste disposal systems established by expedition organisers. These systems often involve specialised equipment like portable toilets or waste bags designed to contain human waste until it can be safely removed from the mountain.
Despite the daunting challenges faced by climbers and adventurers alike, they have shown remarkable ingenuity in addressing the issue faced during high altitude defecation. From developing technologies like biodegradable waste bags, and insulated portable toilets, there's no shortage of creative solutions aimed at making the Everest climbing experience more hygienic and sustainable for all. While these methods may seem unconventional, they serve a practical purpose in minimising environmental impact and maintaining climbers' hygiene and safety.
As climbers continue to push the boundaries of exploration, finding sustainable solutions for waste management to keep Mother Nature in her pristine condition for future generations will always remain a critical priority. By embracing responsible practices such as leaving “No Trace Behind" and using technology and creativity, we can ensure that future generations will experience the majestic Mount Everest and other natural wonders of the world at their finest.
So, the next time you hear the tales of Mount Everest summiteers’, don’t forget to remember the unsung heroes who dared to answer nature's call at the top of the world.