Human poo bags now needed to climb Mount Everest to tackle gross problem

There is 3000kg of human poo estimated to be on Mount Everest and it’s causing a foul stench, with climbers now forced to collect faeces.

People climbing Mount Everest will be required to use poo bags that will be “checked upon their return” – with 3000kg of human faeces estimated to be sitting on the famous mountain.

In recent years, social media has exposed the filthy condition tourists leave campsites on the world’s highest peak with shocking pictures and videos showing a mess of rubbish.

But now another big problem has made international headlines.

Mingma Sherpa, chairman of Pasang Lhamu rural municipality, told BBC their mountains “have begun to stink” because of human poo that does not degrade fully in the extreme cold.

The broadcaster reported authorities are taking action by requiring climbers to buy the poo bags at base camp, which will be “checked upon their return”.

“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,” Mr Mingma said.

The Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee, a nongovernmental organisation, estimates there are about three tonnes (3000kg) of human poo between Camp I at the bottom and Camp IV, the last stop before the summit.

The organisation’s chief executive, Chhiring Sherpa, told BBC half of that was believed to be at Camp IV.

It has become known as an “open toilet” because when there is less snow higher up the mountain, it is harder to dig a hole.

While there have been confronting pictures shared of the rubbish dump at Camp IV, many wouldn’t know there is also a big problem with human poo left behind. Picture: AFP / Doma Sherpa

Chhiring Sherpa said they plan to give climbers two bags which they can use five to six times each.

The bags used will have chemicals and powders that solidify the faeces and make it largely odourless, according to BBC.

Hundreds of people attempt to climb Mount Everest each year. Picture: Lakpa Sherpa / AFP

Last year, an experienced guide on Mount Everest shared footage of Camp IV on Instagram, describing it as “the dirtiest camp I have ever seen.”

The clip showed a group of climbers passing through what appears to be an abandoned camp strewn with mountains of unwanted climbing material.

Tenzi Sherpa said the mess was an assortment of tents, empty oxygen bottles, steel bowls, spoons, sanitation pads and paper.

Hundreds of people attempt to climb Mount Everest each year.

During the 2023 climbing season, 17 climbers died to and from the summit, making it the deadliest year on record.

Among them was Australian climber Jason Bernard Kennison.