Climbing Mount Everest is a lifelong dream for many mountaineers, but now this snow-capped beautiful peak has almost turned into a massive garbage dump.
According to CNN, for decades, mountaineers from around the world have flocked to the region to challenge the world’s highest peak, but they’ve left behind trash, human waste, and even corpses.
However, a passionate team of volunteers has rolled up their sleeves and launched the most ambitious mountain clean-up operation in the world—with immediate results. In just two weeks, they’ve cleared three metric tons of trash from the mountainside—that’s equivalent to two SUVs or one massive male hippopotamus.
The volunteer team consists of 14 members, aiming to remove 10 metric tons of trash within 45 days. The Everest Cleaning Campaign has collected discarded items such as empty bottles, plastics, and abandoned climbing gear. With the help of military helicopters, the volunteers plan to clear trash from even higher altitudes.
Aside from trash, local officials said they have discovered four bodies in the mountain area at an altitude of about 8,848 meters.
In recent decades, the number of climbers attempting to summit Mount Everest has continued to rise. But what do they do when nature calls? Dig a hole in the snow and go right there? Experts strongly advise against it. They say it’s best to use disposable bags and carry your waste down the mountain after you’ve done your business.