Most importantly, climbers have become more environmentally conscious and the norms of behavior have changed. No longer is it acceptable to leave any trash behind on a mountain. As a result, Base Camp, Camp I, II, and III are relatively clean in light of the amount of traffic they receive. The second change is that the new Poisk oxygen bottles from Russia are refillable and therefore are not left behind because of the economic value placed upon them. No longer is an oxygen bottle void of value when empty.
Expeditions can sell used bottles back to the supplier when finished and recoup some of their costs.
The change in attitude, coupled with the refillable Poisk bottles, have reversed the trend of degradation. Over the last two years, SEE has retrieved 630 used oxygen bottles from the South Col. the incentive program incorporated does not risk lives, is inexpensive, funnels money directly back to the local economy, and most importantly, it works. The program is a pragmatic approach to a third world problem that presents logistical hurdles quite unique to the environment.