Mount Everest Overview & Location

• Tallest mountain in world, located between Nepal (12th poorest country) and Tibet Autonomous Region in China
• Tibet has only 2 people per square kilometer average
• Located in one of most remote, hard-to-reach places on planet
• Has attracted climbers for century due to tallest mountain status

The Growing Death Problem

• Over 300 dead bodies currently scattered across mountain
• Bodies visible to climbers attempting summit - unique among tourist attractions
• Last year with zero deaths: 1977
• Bodies well-preserved due to freezing environment, trapped in clothing forever
• Bringing bodies down extremely dangerous, has resulted in additional deaths

Climbing Traffic Explosion

• 1970s: Less than 600 attempts (fewer than Antarctica winter population)
• 1980s: 1,800 attempts
• 1990s: 2,600 attempts
• 2000s: Over 4,000 attempts
• 2010s: Nearly 5,000 attempts (8x more than 1970s)
• Traffic transformed Everest into wealthy tourist destination

Famous Bodies Used as Landmarks

Green Boots

• Most famous body on mountain
• Named after bright green boots worn
• Identity never officially confirmed
• Likely Indian climber Tsewang Paljor who disappeared 1996
• Visible to all climbers attempting summit from north side
• Body resting in place for 23+ years

George Mallory & Andrew Irvine (1924)

• Among first to attempt climbing Everest in 1924
• Attempted to become first humans to reach summit
• Last seen alive 800 vertical feet from top
• Never seen again for 75 years
• Mallory's body discovered 1999, very well preserved
• Discovery couldn't prove if they reached summit (30 years before confirmed 1953 summit)
• Carried camera to photograph accomplishment - camera not found near Mallory's body
• Irvine's body remains undiscovered - could change history if found with camera

Hannelore Schmatz (1979)

• First woman to die on mountain
• German climber who reached summit but died during descent
• Grew exhausted after partner froze to death
• Lay down to rest, never woke up
• Body visible to everyone attempting summit from south side for decades
• Located near Camp 4
• Two men died attempting to recover her corpse 5 years later
• Norwegian mountaineer Arne Naess Jr. described encounter: "sits leaning against pack as if taking short break, woman with eyes wide open, hair waving with wind gusts, follows me with her eyes"
• Wind eventually blew body out of sight

Francine Arsentiev "Sleeping Beauty" (1998)

• Named for well-preserved features
• Successfully summited with husband Sergei but became separated on descent
• Sergei went back to find her after reaching camp
• Francine encountered by Uzbekistan team suffering oxygen deprivation and frostbite
• Team gave her oxygen, carried her down until their own oxygen dangerously low
• Forced to leave her alive to find more help
• Died alone later
• Husband's body discovered next year after apparent fall
• Her body remained visible for 9 more years until 2007
• Successfully pushed to more hidden area

David Sharp (2006)

• Englishman who successfully summited alone without guide
• Insufficient supplementary oxygen bottles
• No radio for emergencies
• Began descent dangerously late, still at 8,500 meters when night came
• Sought shelter in rock overhang near Green Boots body
• Ran out of oxygen, began freezing
• Next morning: 40 people passed him while he sat dying
• Frozen, unable to move, barely able to speak but still conscious
• Most did nothing to help due to danger to themselves
• Died that morning frozen in sitting position

Bodies as Navigation Landmarks

• Over 300 bodies used by climbers as landmarks during ascent
• Dark, morbid reminder of human life fragility
• Exploration always dangerous