In a recent interview, Kanchha Sherpa, the last surviving member of the 1953 mountaineering expedition that successfully conquered Mount Everest, expressed concern over the overcrowding and pollution on the world's highest peak. At 91 years old, Kanchha Sherpa was part of the team that witnessed New Zealander Edmund Hillary and his Sherpa guide Tenzing Norgay reach the summit on May 29, 1953.

Speaking from Kathmandu, Kanchha Sherpa emphasized the need for respecting the mountain, describing it as a god that deserves reverence. He voiced his belief that reducing the number of climbers on Everest would be beneficial for both the mountain and its visitors. Currently, there is an ever-increasing crowd of people attempting to reach the summit, with 667 climbers scaling the peak during the spring climbing season in 2023.

The impact of such high numbers takes a toll on the mountain, as thousands of support staff are needed at the base camp between March and May. Concerns have been raised about the long-term presence of so many people on Everest, resulting in accumulation of trash and waste. Despite these concerns, authorities currently have no plans to limit the number of climbing permits issued.

Efforts are in place to address the issue of waste management, with rules requiring climbers to bring back their own trash and equipment, or risk losing their deposit. However, monitoring the enforcement of these rules has seen limited effectiveness. Kanchha Sherpa highlighted the growing pollution on Everest, with climbers leaving behind tins, wrappings, and even dumping trash in crevasses, which ultimately flow downstream as the snow melts.

For the Sherpa community, Everest is known as Qomolangma, the goddess mother of the world, and it holds great significance. Religiously, they perform rituals before embarking on a climb. Kanchha Sherpa expressed dismay over the lack of respect shown to their revered deity, mentioning instances of smoking, eating meat, and littering on the holy mountain.

Reflecting on his own experience as a young man on the Hillary-Tenzing expedition, Kanchha Sherpa recounted how, upon hearing of the successful summit through the radio, they celebrated with tea and snacks at Camp 2. They collected whatever they could and brought it back to the base camp. The trail they forged from the base camp to the summit is still used by climbers today, with only the section from the base camp to Camp 1 over the Khumbu Icefall changing each year.

Now residing in Namche village with his family, Kanchha Sherpa runs a small hotel catering to trekkers and climbers in the foothills of Everest. At 91 years old, he carries with him the memories of an extraordinary feat and a strong call to preserve and respect the sacred mountain that has captured the world's imagination. With his plea for reducing the number of climbers, he hopes to ensure the future of Everest for generations to come.