More than 310 lives have been lost on Mount Everest since the early 1900s, making it one of the deadliest mountains in the world. Due to the dangerous conditions on the mountain, many of these bodies remain there, serving as a grim reminder of the risks involved in climbing Everest. Overcrowding has been identified as a major factor contributing to the recent increase in deaths, with 2023 marking a record-breaking year for climbers.
The presence of dead bodies on Mount Everest has become a distressingly common sight. On average, six individuals lose their lives each year while attempting to conquer the world’s tallest peak. The deadliest year in recent history was 2015 when an avalanche claimed the lives of 19 climbers. The 2023 climbing season came close to breaking that record, with at least 12 deaths and five more climbers missing and presumed dead. It was also the most crowded year on the mountain, as Nepal issued a record 463 permits.
During the main 2023 climbing season, approximately 900 people, including sherpas, attempted to summit Mount Everest from the South side. This peak season lasts for about eight weeks, from April to May. Tragically, three Nepalese sherpas lost their lives in April while setting up the summit rope for other climbers. In May, an American man died on his way to the top.
The retrieval of dead bodies from Mount Everest poses significant challenges. The process of repatriation can cost tens of thousands of dollars and sometimes even result in further fatalities. In 1984, two Nepalese climbers died while attempting to recover a body from the mountain. Lhakpa Sherpa, the women’s record-holder for most Everest summits, recounted seeing seven dead bodies during her ascent in 2018. The difficulty and danger involved in removing bodies serve as a costly and potentially deadly task.
Mount Everest has become a popular destination for tourists, who are willing to spend anywhere from $50,000 to over $130,000 for the chance to summit the mountain. The exact number of deaths that have occurred on Everest remains uncertain, as does the fate of the bodies. Some estimates suggest that the number of fatalities could be as high as 322, particularly after the deadly 2023 season. A BBC investigation in 2015 concluded that there are more than 200 corpses scattered across Everest’s slopes.
In recent decades, overcrowding has been identified as a contributing factor to the surges in deaths on the mountain. The short window of favorable climbing conditions, usually lasting only a few days in May, leads to long lines of climbers attempting to reach the summit. This rush to stake their claim on an Everest summit, often referred to as “Summit Fever,” puts climbers at risk. Additionally, the “death zone” above 8,000 meters, where air is thin and oxygen masks are necessary, becomes a bottleneck for climbers, leading to dangerous human traffic jams.
Removing bodies from the death zone is a hazardous and labor-intensive task. The frozen conditions make it challenging to retrieve even small objects, let alone bodies weighing up to 150kg when frozen. Some mountaineers have made arrangements for their own bodies in case of death on Everest, signing forms that dictate whether they should be left on the mountain or repatriated to their home country.
In recent years, the most well-known body on Everest, known as “Green Boots,” has become harder to spot. Speculation suggests that the body may have been moved or covered with rocks. Nepalese Sherpas consider it disrespectful to leave dead bodies on their sacred mountain, and in 2019, at least four bodies were taken down by Nepalese trash collectors.
Mount Everest, once a symbol of accomplishment for mountaineers, has now become overcrowded and increasingly dangerous. Filmmaker Jennifer Peedom, who has climbed Everest four times, believes that the allure of the mountain has been heightened by the disasters that have occurred there. However, she argues that for true mountaineers, the Everest experience has become more about crowd control than an exhilarating challenge.
In conclusion, Mount Everest’s deadly reputation continues to grow as more lives are lost on the mountain. Overcrowding and the difficulties involved in retrieving bodies have contributed to the grim reality of Everest’s slopes. As climbers continue to flock to the peak, the dangers and challenges of conquering Everest remain a somber reminder of the risks involved.
