Nepal Plans to Employ Drones for Garbage Transportation from Mount Everest

The Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality has enforced a requirement for climbers above the base camp to carry poop bags.

For the first time, drones are set to compete with high-altitude guides on Everest.

The Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality, home to Mount Everest towering at 8,848.86 meters, is conducting a trial using heavy-lift drones to retrieve waste from the mountain.

While officials state that cargo drones will fly over Everest to collect waste, the success of this initiative may impact the livelihoods of high-altitude support personnel who traverse the perilous Khumbu Icefall with heavy loads on their backs.

“This is a trial. If successful, drones will be extensively used to collect waste from altitudes up to 6,500 meters, specifically from Camp II, in the upcoming season,” explained Jagat Prasad Bhusal, the chief administrative officer of the rural municipality. “However, discussions are yet to be held regarding the potential use of drones for transporting supplies and logistics to Camp II to mitigate casualties in the hazardous Khumbu Icefall.”

An avalanche triggered by a falling serac buried 16 Sherpa guides in the Khumbu Icefall on April 18, 2014, leading to the cancellation of that season's expeditions.

Last year, three Sherpa guides were buried under ice masses following an avalanche in the Khumbu Icefall, with their bodies remaining unrecovered.

According to records from the Himalayan Database and the government, nearly 50 individuals have lost their lives on the icefall between 1953 and 2023.

All climbers and guides must navigate the icefall, a route leading to the world's highest peak, known for its extreme danger, even causing experienced Sherpas to hesitate when the sun is shining.

The Khumbu Icefall, spanning approximately a kilometer, is usually traversed during the night or early morning, with climbers donning headlamps on their helmets.

Typically, the crossing occurs in the early morning when the ice blocks and hanging glaciers are stable, and the risk of avalanches is minimal.

As the day progresses, the sun's warmth causes the hanging glaciers to melt and the ice to crumble, elevating the risk of avalanches.

“The Khumbu Icefall has claimed numerous lives, primarily those of high-altitude support staff. Drones could help mitigate the rising casualties among mountain guides, particularly in the icefall,” noted Bhusal.

From Camp II (6,400m) to the summit, the likelihood of avalanches is reduced.

Presently, the rural municipality is conducting trials with a Chinese drone from DJI (Da-Jiang Innovations), headquartered in Shenzhen, Guangdong.

“Upon successful trials, we may procure drones through a competitive bidding process,” added Bhusal.

The drone can operate at altitudes of up to 6,500 meters and carry loads of up to 30 kg.

This year, Everest is expected to be as busy as ever, albeit with a slightly lower number of climbers compared to last year.

Rakesh Gurung, the director at the Department of Tourism, reported that 390 climbing permits had been issued as of Monday.

“We anticipate the total to exceed 400 this year,” he remarked. Last year, the department issued a record 479 Everest climbing permits.

This year, the highest number of permits have been issued to Americans (70), followed by Chinese (65), British (34), and Indians (22). The number of aspiring Everest climbers from India has significantly decreased this year, according to department officials.

Gurung further stated that ropes and ladders had been fixed up to Camp IV at nearly 8,000 meters on Sunday, and the Everest summit push may commence formally next week.

To ensure safety and manage waste, numerous regulations have been implemented this year.

Under federal government regulations, climbers are required to carry a tracking chip or GPS device.

On March 4, the local government of Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality introduced its own rules through the Base Camp Management Procedure 2024 for the first time.

These rules allocate a maximum sleeping area of 80 square feet per person at the base camp during mountaineering expeditions.

Similarly, a maximum dining area of 60 square feet per person is designated at the base camp.

Toilets attached to sleeping tents are prohibited, with a maximum of four toilet tents, two shower tents, and two urine toilet tents permitted in each camp for shared use by up to 15 people.

When installing new ropes for mountaineering, old ropes must be removed and returned to the base camp.

Climbers are mandated to use biodegradable or poop bags above the base camp for the proper disposal of waste.

“Thus far, five expedition teams have brought poop bags. If a team fails to provide them, they are available through the rural municipality,” Bhusal confirmed.

The bags provided by the municipality cost Rs580 each.

While not required at the base camp, climbers must carry these bags at all camps above the base camp. “The rule is straightforward—no urination or defecation in the open. We are compelled to enforce this regulation to prevent Everest from becoming a minefield of waste,” Bhusal remarked.

Although climbers may not encounter the sight or odor of thawing waste, downstream individuals who rely on melted snow for drinking water may inadvertently ingest water contaminated with harmful bacteria and parasites.

“These bags contain powder

 or chemicals that solidify waste and include a zip,” Bhusal explained. “Currently, we have 6,000 bags, which should suffice for this season ending in late May.”

Each bag will be assigned a code. “Climbers must return the bags; otherwise, they will not receive a waste clearance certificate. Without this certificate, climbers cannot reclaim their waste deposit funds, nor will they obtain the prestigious Everest climbing certificate,” Bhusal emphasized.

Anyone visiting Everest must pay a $4,000 waste deposit, refunded upon the return of 8 kg of waste and the bags used during the climb.

According to the local government's regulations, in the event of a climber's death, the guides and trekking and travel agencies involved are responsible for managing the body.

Industry insiders note a growing trend of leaving bodies on the mountain despite insurance coverage.

Retrieving a body from the Death Zone, located above 8,000 meters, is a costly endeavor. Mountaineering officials cite the high expense and difficulty of removing bodies from higher camps due to the danger posed by the rarefied (low-oxygen) atmosphere.

The removal of bodies from extreme locations may cost between $20,000 and $200,000.

Each year, numerous climbers' bodies remain on Everest due to logistical challenges and cost considerations.

Gurung reported that 17 individuals climbing from the Nepal side perished on Everest during last spring's season, with six bodies yet to be recovered.

Considering the cultural significance of the Sagarmatha National Park, listed as a UNESCO Natural Heritage Site, and the breathtaking natural landscape and rich Sherpa culture, commercial operations such as bars, bakeries, cafes, and spas are prohibited at the base camp.

Additionally, bright and flickering lights visible from a distance are not permitted at the base camp. Except for emergencies, all lights within the base camp premises must be turned off at night.

According to departmental records, there have been 8,270 successful summit ascents from the Nepal side since 1953.