The area of death in the “roof of the world”: the melting of Everest exposes a shocking mass cemetery
At the top of the world, where heaven seems to touch eternity, Mount Everest keeps a chilling secret. More than 8,000 meters high, in the infamous “zone of death”, the human body struggles to survive. The lack of oxygen, the extreme temperatures that can descend to -60 ºC and the hurricane winds turn each step into a battle against nature. But in recent years, climate change has added a new chapter to this story: the thaw of glaciers is disregarding a mass cemetery, where the remains of climbers who dreamed of conquering the roof of the planet lie frozen in time.
Mount Everest, with its 8,848.86 meters above sea level, is the highest peak in the world and a symbol of human challenge. Situado en la cordillera del Himalaya, en la frontera entre Nepal y China, atrae cada año a cientos de montañistas que buscan grabar su nombre en la historia. However, not everyone returns. Según registros, más de 300 personas han perdido la vida intentando alcanzar la cima, víctimas de avalanchas, caídas, hipotermia o el temido mal de altura. Muchos de estos cuerpos, preservados por el frío extremo, permanecen en la montaña, convertidos en macabros puntos de referencia para los escaladores.
One of the best known cases is that of “Green Boots”, an Indian mountaineer identified as Tsewang Paljor, who died in 1996 during a storm in the death area. His body, recognizable for his fluorescent green boots, lies in a cave next to the Northeast route, serving as a milestone for those who ascend. For years, the climbers have passed with him, a silent reminder of the risks they face. In 2006, British David Sharp died in the same cave. More than 40 mountaineers passed him while dying, but the lack of oxygen and extreme conditions made a rescue impossible. “No one can load with another in the area of death,” said Tshiring Jangbu Sherpa, an experienced guide that Evrest has climbed three times. “It is a heartbreaking decision, but often there is no other option.”
Climate change has intensified this tragedy. Everest glaciers, which for decades hid the remains of the fallen, are melting at an alarming pace. In 2017, a hand emerged from ice in camp 1, followed by other remains in the Khumbu glacier, according to C. Scott Watson, a scientist at the University of Leeds. “The ice level in the base camp is going down, and the bodies are appearing,” said a local NGO representative. In 2025, the Nepal’s army recovered five bodies, including a skeleton, in a cleaning operation that also removed 11 tons of garbage. “If we continue to leave them behind, our mountains will become cemeteries,” said Aditya Karki, leader of the mission.
The “zone of death” is a term that resonates strongly among mountaineers. From 8,000 meters, atmospheric pressure falls to less than 356 millibars, and the oxygen available is just a third of what the body needs. Height evil can cause brain or pulmonary edema, lethal conditions that cloud the trial and exhaust the body. “Your body is decomposing, literally dying,” said Shaunna Burke, who reached the top in 2005. In this environment, even the strongest sherpas can only load up to 25 kilos, and a frozen body can weigh more than 100 kilos, causing the bailouts to be almost impossible.
The massification of Everest aggravates the problem. In 2023, Nepal issued 479 ascent permits, a record that contributed to 18 deaths that year. Brokenness on the routes, especially in the area of death, have caused fatal delays. “Some mountaineers died because their oxygen bottles sold out while waiting,” said Amesha Chauhan, an Indian climber who suffered freezing in 2019. To address this, Nepal has implemented new measures: climbers must demonstrate previous experience in peaks of more than 6,500 meters, pay higher rates (of 11,000 to 15,000 dollars) and carry track chips to facilitate rescue.
Among the bodies that have emerged, some have acquired names that reflect their tragic permanence. “The Sleeping Beauty,” Francys Usentiev, was the first American woman to reach the top without oxygen in 1998, but died during the descent. His body, wrapped in an American flag for an expedition in 2007, was finally removed from the view. Another, known as “El Saludador”, seems to say goodbye from a slope. These remains are not only a reminder of mortality, but also an ethical dilemma. In 2006, the case of David Sharp unleashed controversy when it was learned that a Discovery filming team tried to interview him instead of helping him. “Escalar Evrest requires being prepared to stay there,” said Ang Tshering Sherpa, former president of the Nepal Mountain Association.
The environmental impact is also alarming. In addition to the bodies, the thaw has revealed abandoned stores, broken strings and oxygen cylinders. Cleaning expeditions, such as that led by APPA Sherpa every May, collect tons of garbage, but the problem persists. “Everest is not just a physical challenge, but a moral responsibility,” said Rita Sherpa, who has reached the top 24 times. The mountain, considered sacred by many local communities, suffers the consequences of uncontrolled human activity.
Despite the dangers, Everest continues to attract adventurers around the world. For some, such as Jacob Weasel, a surgeon who reached the top in 2023, the motivation transcends the personal. “I planted an eagle pen on the top to represent my people,” he said, referring to his native community. For others, such as Alan Arnette, who climbed in honor of his mother with Alzheimer’s, ascent is a way of giving meaning to the fight. However, the mountain does not discriminate: rookies and veterans face the same risks.
Mount Everest, majestic and implacable, is more than a mountain. It is a mirror of human ambitions, a place where glory and tragedy are intertwined. Each body that emerges from the ice tells a story of courage, sacrifice and sometimes imprudence. While climate change continues to undress its secrets, the mountain forces us to reflect on our impact on the nature and ethics of challenging the impossible. As Tshiring Jangbu Sherpa said, “the Himalayas have given us a lot, but now it is our turn to return their respect.” The next time someone dreams of conquering Everest, maybe you should ask: Is the price worth?
