Everest climbers to carry own faecal waste Posted on 7 March 2019 Mount Everest, the highest mountain in the world and a popular challenge for particularly adventurous climbers, is sadly also becoming an outdoor lavatory. The Chinese Mountaineering Society has taken action by announcing that all climbers will now have to carry their own faecal matter both up and down the mountain. The Chinese Mountaineering Association Director Ci Luo recently announced that climbers would be responsible for keeping their waste off the famed mountain, including their own faeces. A few years ago, a Washington Post correspondent described the mountain as a ticking ‘faecal time bomb’, never mind the hundreds of dead bodies of climbers that have accumulated over the years. It was not too long ago that we reported that Chinese authorities had decided to close their base camp on the Tibetan side of the nearly 9,000-metre mountain in order to tackle the extraordinary amount of litter and other waste that had piled up over the many years. As unappealing as this new requirement may be, it’s an important reminder of how iconic natural wonders can be ‘loved to death’, as this kind of over-tourism has become known. Climbers will learn to respect their Everest challenge and the sherpas who help them along the way, and who knows, maybe they’ll really appreciate the, er, weight of their endeavour. China closes Everest base camp for rubbish clean-up Image: Unsplash Related Posts Cape Town’s sustainability: Leading the way in environmental initiatives 1 June 2023 As National Environmental Month commences in South Africa, Cape Town stands proudly at the forefront... read more Kapama to host Safari Guide of the Year Awards 2023 1 June 2023 Kapama Private Game Reserve near Hoedspruit will host this year’s Safari Guide of the Year... read more Blood Lions relaunches for public viewing on YouTube 1 June 2023 Award-winning documentary feature film Blood Lions has been relaunched on YouTube for public viewing, creating... read more PREV ARTICLE NEXT ARTICLE
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