Why Do People Leave Trash on Mount Everest?
It’s not uncommon to hear about the staggering amounts of trash left behind by visitors on Mount Everest. Despite the area’s magnificent beauty and its status as the highest elevation on Earth, trash, unfortunately, continues to be a significant problem. So, why do people leave trash on Mount Everest?
The Challenge of Mount Everest’s Terrain
One can’t comprehend the conditions of Mount Everest without recapping its key features. Mount Everest, towering at 8,848 meters, is quite literally at the top of the world. The altitudes, coupled with the harsh weather conditions, make it a challenge even for the seasoned climbers. Visit Mount Everest’s website on hikingtoursnepal.com/mount-everest/ to better understand the area’s complexity.
Navigating such a challenging terrain has an implication – climbers often prioritize safety and success over cleanliness. Dealing with oxygen deficiency, freezing temperatures, and the fear of avalanches, climber’s often discard their oxygen cylinders, ropes, plastic wrappers, cans, and other items to lighten loads and maneuver more easily.
Quantity of Mount Everest Visitors
The increasing popularity of Mount Everest among adventure enthusiasts and tourists has also contributed to the problem. Annually, hundreds of climbers and tourists ascend and descend this majestic mountain, each leaving behind a trail of waste that accumulates over time. While some are unaware of the implications of their actions, others choose to ignore the necessity of trash management in such a fragile environment.
Lack of Effective Waste Management Policies
While the Nepalese government has instituted policies to combat this issue, the implementation has been less than successful. For each climbing expedition, a hefty deposit is charged, refundable only when climbers bring down a specified amount of their waste. However, enforcement of these rules is tricky, given the harsh conditions and the broad area that needs to be monitored.
The Way Forward
Despite these challenges, efforts to clean Mount Everest are intensifying. Several local and international organizations are working to clean and restore the mountain’s glory. However, the responsibility also lies in the hands of every climber or tourist who visits Mount Everest. With proper planning and environmentally-friendly practices, Mount Everest can once again become trash-free.
FAQs About Trash on Mount Everest
1. How much trash is actually on Mount Everest?
Exact measurements are hard to take due to the mountain’s vastness and harsh conditions, but estimates indicate that there are over 50 tonnes of trash and around 200+ bodies.
2. What kind of trash is left on Mount Everest?
Visitors leave behind a variety of items on Mount Everest. These can range from oxygen bottles, climbing gear, down to simple things like plastic wrappers and cans. Discarded human waste also contributes to the problem.
3. What has been done to clean up Mount Everest?
Several clean-up expeditions have been conducted over the years, with climbers and NGO’s retrieving tons of trash. Nepal’s government has also put policies in place, including a refundable deposit that climbers can reclaim only when they bring down a certain amount of waste from their expedition.
4. What can I do to avoid contributing to the problem if I plan to climb Mount Everest?
There are several ways to contribute to a cleaner Mount Everest. One of the simplest and most effective methods is to carry all the waste you generate back down with you. In addition, purchasing biodegradable goods and respecting the local culture and environment can go a long way in preserving Mount Everest.
5. Why can’t trash be easily picked up in Mount Everest?
The extremely high elevation and harsh weather conditions make picking up trash a taxing endeavor. In some cases, waste may be buried in snow or difficult-to-reach places. Furthermore, the potential risk to life and the substantial cost it incurs make the clean-up process challenging.
Mount Everest is a symbol of natural grandeur and human resilience. Let’s strive to keep it free of trash, ensuring future generations also get to experience its magnificent beauty.