Nepal has had it with frozen wastes on its mountainsides, and especially on the climbing routes to the summit of the world’s tallest mountain, Mount Everest. From now on, a new rule requires climbers to poop in bags and carry it home.
The new rule is taking effect ahead of this year’s main climbing season, from March through May, While the base camp from which expeditions start has toilet facilities, climbers headed higher have either buried their excrement, or left it exposed on rocks. Because of the cold temperatures, it does not degrade.
Climbers will now be required to purchase the bags at the base before heading out, and will not only be expected to carry them back down, but will be subject to inspection on their return.
Mingma Sherpa, the chairman of Pasang Lhamu rural municipality, which covers much of the Everest region, told the BBC: “We are getting complaints that human stools are visible on rocks and some climbers are falling sick. This is not acceptable and erodes our image. Our mountains have begun to stink.”
