Everest climbers will have to clear their own poop

Individuals climbing Mt Everest will now have to clean up after themselves, meaning no more disposing of their poo in the mountains. Mingmar Sherpa, chairman of Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality, said climbers will be required to bring back all their waste to the base camp for proper disposal. 

He added that climbers must mandatorily carry poop bags or eco-friendly receptacles along with special chemicals to make sure that their waste is safely contained and odor-free.

The initiative is aimed at mitigating pollution and health hazards posed by human excrement on Mt Everest. There is a lavatory facility at the Everest base camp, but as the climbers make their way up to the world’s highest peak, the only place for them to answer nature’s call is out in the open.

Sherpa had earlier told the BBC about the complaints of visible human stools en route to the summit and some climbers falling sick. “This is not acceptable and erodes our image.”

The decision has also been implemented in Lhotse, Nuptse and Amadablam mountains. According to the new rules,  climbers should now bring back eight kilograms of waste from Everest, Lhotse and Nhuptse and three kilograms from Amadablam. A list of items necessary above the base camp should be prepared and registered. The rural municipality has also made it mandatory to bring back the equipment and ropes used during the expedition.

Additionally, to keep the base camp area clean, every expedition team has to conduct regular cleaning campaigns around the camp.

Other rules for the base camp include a maximum of four toilet tents, two urine toilet tents and two shower tents for a group of 15 people. Each expedition should also ensure a sleeping area of maximum 80 square feet and 10 square feet for dining. Lighting bright lights visible from a long distance have also been discouraged.