Climbers scaling Mount Everest are set to bring back their own waste to base camp following concerns raised by experts about the mountain’s unpleasant smell.
The decision to implement these new rules comes after worries that excrement left on the mountain does not fully decompose, leading to health issues among climbers.
Mingma Sherpa, chairman of Pasang Lhamu rural municipality, expressed, ‘Our mountains have begun to stink,’ in an interview with the BBC.
Before these new guidelines, climbers would commonly either dig holes to relieve themselves or openly defecate during their expeditions.
However, with temperatures dropping as low as -60°C (-76°F), human waste does not fully decompose, leading to visible stools on the mountain’s surface.
To address this issue, Pasang Lhamu has mandated climbers on Mount Everest and nearby Mount Lhotse to acquire poo bags at base camp to contain their waste, which will be inspected upon their return.
Although the concept of carrying waste may seem unappealing, the poo bags are designed to ensure a dignified collection process, with chemicals solidifying and deodorizing the waste.
According to the BBC, each bag can be reused multiple times, reducing the number climbers need to carry during their journey.
This is not the first instance of poo bags being provided to climbers, as Mr. Mingma stated, ‘Mountaineers have been using such bags on Mount Denali (the highest peak in North America) and in the Antarctic as well, that is why we have been advocating for it.’