In a challenging endeavor to clean up Mount Everest, a Sherpa-led team has revealed that it will take several years to remove the vast amount of garbage and debris littering the highest camp on the world's tallest mountain. The team, consisting of soldiers and experienced Sherpas, was funded by the Nepal government and managed to clear a staggering 11 tons of garbage, including old tents, food packaging, gas cartridges, oxygen bottles, and ropes used for climbing and tent setups, during this year's climbing season.

Ang Babu Sherpa, the leader of the Sherpa team, has stated that there may still be an estimated 40-50 tons of garbage accumulated at South Col, the final camp before climbers make their ascent to the summit. This refuse is frozen and stacked in layers at an altitude of 8,000 meters, posing a significant challenge in terms of removal.

While recent measures, such as climbers being required to bring back their garbage or face the loss of their deposits, have helped reduce the amount of waste left behind, the majority of the garbage currently at South Col is from previous expeditions. It is crucial to address this issue as it not only affects the pristine environment of Mount Everest but also poses a great risk to climbers attempting to reach the summit.

The Sherpas on the team were responsible for collecting garbage and retrieving bodies from the higher-altitude areas, while soldiers focused on clearing the lower levels and the base camp area. This arduous task was conducted over several weeks during the spring climbing season, when weather conditions are deemed more favorable. However, the team faced numerous challenges, including extreme weather conditions, low oxygen levels, and the difficulty of breaking through frozen ice blocks that held the garbage.

Of the 11 tons of garbage collected, three tons of decomposable items were taken to nearby villages near Everest's base, while the remaining eight tons were transported by porters, yaks, and trucks to Kathmandu. There, the waste underwent sorting for recycling at a facility operated by Agni Ventures, an agency dedicated to managing recyclable waste.

During the sorting process, it was discovered that the oldest waste retrieved dated back to 1957, including rechargeable batteries for torch lights. Sushil Khadga from Agni Ventures highlighted the challenges climbers face at high altitudes, with low oxygen levels making survival the primary concern rather than waste management.

Cleaning up the highest camp on Mount Everest remains an enormous task that will require significant effort and time. The Sherpa-led team's determined efforts represent a positive step towards preserving the natural beauty of this iconic mountain and protecting the safety of climbers in the future.