Clean Everest

Since the first commercial expeditions were organised 30 years ago, Everest and other 8000m peaks are littered with rubbish left by the thousands of climbers each year.

Waste management on the highest peaks in the world is a difficult task, especially in the Tibetan areas of China, as there is little adequate infrastructure. Pollution in the Himalayas endangers water drinking and access as the glaciers feed the biggest rivers in Asia, used by more than 2 billion people.

Working together to reduce pollution

This is where Clean Everest came in. In 2016, Marion Chaygneaud-Dupuy, a French mountain guide who has been living in Tibet for 18 years, initiated an expedition to clean up the northeast route to the top of Mount Everest. Supported by the Chinese government and local mountains guides, the expedition is now an annual event with local yak owners taking waste from the collection points to base camp. In just 4 years, 10 tons have been collected.

Clean Everest has also set up a replicable waste management model on popular climbed routes to peaks of the Himalayas based a clean mountain charter, as well as providing training and support for local guides and inhabitants.

More information about Clean Everest?

http://highland-initiatives.com/en/