Everest climbers now have to carry bags of cocoa from the summit

Ensuring climbers are equipped for the daunting climb of Everest now includes a rather unorthodox addition to their gear checklist: bags of cocoa.

In a concerted effort to curb pollution at the world’s highest altitude, authorities have put in place new rules requiring climbers to take their waste to the base. Climbing Everest is an expensive undertaking, typically costing $35,000 and up, which includes the permit, equipment and Sherpa guide fees.

However, the increased number of climbers exacerbates an age-old problem of litter accumulation that occurs in the unforgiving nature that slows down the natural degradation of litter.

Diwas Pokhrel, who is the first vice president of the Everest Summit Association, says this problem is one of the most serious. In this context he mentions how bodily waste from camping tents at higher altitudes polluted the mountain environment.

Without relief, the situation would have worsened further. especially since climbing permit issues hit a record high last year. Jinesh Sindurakar of the Nepal Mountaineering Association listed that the climbers this season are over 1200 and the waste they produce is about 250 grams per day on average.

To combat this, climbers are asked to carry poop bags meant to solidify and deodorize human waste. Nepal’s Khumbu Pasanglhamu Rural Municipality plans to give away more than eight thousand of these bags for the season.

In addition, mitigation measures in the mountains have also been stepped up, with the Nepal Army’s efforts resulting in over 35,0000 kg of trash and plastic being grabbed from various peaks including Everest, Loche, Annapurna and Barunche, according to the Himalayan Times.