Mt. Everest is becoming known as the world's highest junkyard. Sir Edmund Hillary and his Sherpa climbing partner, Tenzing Norgay, were the first to conquer Mt. Everest in 1953. Now as many as 400 people each spring and fall attempt to climb Mt. Everest, or Sagarmatha, as the people of Nepal call it. The trail consists of a base camp at 17,600 feet and four additional camps closer to the summit. Since the first successful expedition, at least 50 tons of trash have accumulated.
Most mountaineers make their final assault on the summit from here.
View the popular Southeast Ridge. Take a look at the garbage that exists on Mt. Everest. Although the word Sherpa has come to mean anyone hired to help with a mountaineering expedition, the name comes from the Sherpa people of Nepal. While many Sherpas do indeed work as mountaineering guides and cooks, their Buddhist culture is based on animal herding and subsistence agriculture. Once they reach altitudes above 26,000 feet, hikers must contend with the Death Zone.