Mount Everest's Melting Ice and Growing Concerns Among Climbers

Kathmandu. Renowned climber Furba Tenjing Sherpa's eyes well up when he sees the ice and glaciers around the base camp of the world's highest peak, Sagarmatha, melting at a rapid pace.

He, who earns fame and fortune by taking domestic and foreign climbers to the summit of Sagarmatha, is also concerned that if the snow cover on Sagarmatha and other mountains continues to decrease at this rate, future generations might not be able to see the mountains at all.

He says, "Earlier, we would find a lump of snow by walking five minutes from the base camp, but now it's difficult to find snow even after walking for an hour and a half. This can be considered a direct impact of climate change." He states that mountaineers from all over the world who come for climbing are now directly experiencing the changing form of Sagarmatha.

He says, "The world's highest peak, Sagarmatha, is not just a mountain, but also a symbol of courage, challenge, and natural beauty, so its conservation is a matter of concern for everyone."

As the Earth's average temperature rises, climbers say that the rate at which glaciers are melting in the Himalayan region is increasing, the time and amount of snowfall are changing, and the pattern of rainfall is rapidly changing. The Himalayan region is considered a highly sensitive area to climate change. He mentions that on routes covered by snow, there is now a situation where bare rocks have to be traversed in many places. Seeing rocks and old layers of ice in areas that were once covered in thick snow, Furba is concerned that the possibility of many climbers coming to Nepal in the future might decrease.

Experienced mountaineer Furba Tenjing Sherpa, born in Rolwaling, Dolakha in 1988, has set foot on the summit of the world's highest peak, Sagarmatha, 18 times. Sherpa, who started going to the mountains at the age of 14 as a porter, first climbed Sagarmatha in 2007. He has previously set foot on mountains like Manaslu and Ama Dablam. The lack of snow in the Sagarmatha region is not just a visual change; it is now being directly felt that it is starting to impact climbing risks, the Himalayan ecosystem, water resources, and the lives of local communities. For this reason, concerns about Sagarmatha becoming snowless in recent years have increased.

While the weather used to be relatively stable a few decades ago, there are now rapid fluctuations in the weather. The weather that appears normal in the morning can become bad within a few hours. He says, "The route to Sagarmatha has changed a lot from before. In the past, areas covered by snow are now turning into open rocks. This has made climbing more difficult and risky."

Especially in the Khumbu Icefall region, the instability of the ice structure is increasing, which may add more challenges to climbing in the future. He states that due to the lack of snow, ice melts quickly, and the problem of more crevasses and cracks opening up is being observed.

While climate change is a global problem, he says that the problem of waste management is becoming even more complex. Furba states that while waste management up to Camp 2 of Sagarmatha appears somewhat effective, the situation at Camp 3 and Camp 4 is still worrying. "It is very difficult to bring garbage down from Camp 4. Climbers are in a situation where they have to choose between saving their lives or carrying garbage," he says.

Sherpa says that although the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee (SPCC) is making efforts for waste management, removing old tents, oxygen cylinders, and other garbage accumulated in the upper regions still poses a significant challenge.

Sherpa, who returned after successfully climbing Sagarmatha with a Chinese national on May 20, says this problem is increasing every year.

This time, 495 climbers from 56 countries had permits for Sagarmatha, and more than a thousand people climbed Sagarmatha. He suggests that the government and concerned bodies need to take concrete steps in time to maintain the natural beauty and safety of the mountains.

Not only this, but he also cannot rule out the possibility that the migration of skilled Sherpas abroad and unhealthy competition among climbing companies could affect the number of climbers in the future.

There is an increasing trend of experienced and skilled Sherpas migrating abroad in search of better opportunities. Although Sherpas from Makalu in Sankhuwasabha, Solukhumbu, and Rolwaling in Dolakha are currently active in climbing, he says that there is a shortage of skilled manpower.

Nepalese Sherpas, who are known worldwide as courageous guides, are facing immense challenges with extraordinary ability. Despite being aware of the risk of losing their lives during mountaineering, they are playing a leading role in fulfilling the dreams of mountaineers from various countries around the world.

Although climbing mountains is dangerous, journalist Raju Silwal, who writes about tourism, says that since record-breaking climbers do not receive much respect or facilities in Nepal, the government needs to make policy-level decisions and take the initiative to honor record-breakers to stop their migration abroad.

Similarly, unhealthy competition among companies that organize mountain climbing has raised questions about the quality of service and safety. He says that while climbing used to cost up to $50,000, due to competition, teams are now being taken for $20-25,000. He says this increases the risk of less experienced individuals being deployed instead of experienced Sherpas.

Rajendra Lama, General Secretary of the Nepal Mountaineering Association, says that the Nepal government should also increase study and monitoring based on data collected by various research institutions on the condition of glaciers, snow cover, and temperature changes regarding the effects of climate change in the Himalayan region. He says such studies will help in future risk assessment and policy planning.

Lama emphasizes the need to prioritize Himalayan environmental conservation, waste management, and sustainable tourism at the local level, along with global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate the effects of climate change.

Most foreign mountaineers who come to climb Sagarmatha share their experiences of directly witnessing the lack of snow. Furba says that some climbers have shown interest, mentioning that they saw less snow than expected on their way from base camp to the upper camps. He also has his own experience of seeing significant changes in some places compared to a decade ago. He says that the changes occurring in Sagarmatha's landscape should not be taken lightly.

The changes occurring in Sagarmatha and other mountains in Nepal will not only reduce the arrival of mountaineers but will also severely affect the economic aspect. The decline in tourists coming to the mountains, which are an important source of income for Nepal, will affect the livelihoods of local people and can also cause problems for the country's economy.

This year, Nepal received a total of Rs 1.26 billion 47 million 41 thousand 306 from 31 mountains, including Rs 1.08 billion 8 million 725 in royalties from Sagarmatha. This year, 1,195 climbers from 79 countries had obtained permits for climbing mountains above 6,500 meters.

Family on Sagarmatha Summit

Furba Tenjing, son of Chhiring Norbu Sherpa and Kimjung Sherpa, along with his six brothers and two sisters, set a 'Guinness World Record' by climbing Sagarmatha. Tenzing's eldest brother Pemba Gyaljen Sherpa, second brother Furba Thundu Sherpa, third brother Pemba Dorje Sherpa, fourth brother Nima Gyaljen Sherpa, youngest brother Furba Khile Sherpa, sister Dawa Diki Sherpa, and sister Nima Lamu Sherpa have all successfully climbed Sagarmatha.

In a single season, four members of his family climbed Sagarmatha, setting another world record. During a mountaineering expedition, his second brother Furba Thundu Sherpa died.

Furba Tenjing, who has been climbing mountains continuously since 2007, climbed Sagarmatha twice in 2008 and once in 2017.

Along with climbing, Furba has also been actively contributing to the social sector. The 'We Will Rise Foundation' operated under his leadership after the Gorkha earthquake has made a significant contribution to promoting tourism in Nepal.

This foundation, established after the 2015 earthquake, has been highlighting local tourism through the 'My Village, My Place' video competition.

It has also spread the message of Nepal's tourism worldwide by organizing programs like 'Hike for Nepal' in Hong Kong and the UK.