When you stand at the base of Mount Everest in Nepal and look up at its snow-covered peak piercing the sky at 29,032 feet, it's easy to understand why climbers call it the ultimate challenge. But what many don't realise until they're on the mountain is that Everest is also a graveyard, one where over 300 climbers remain, frozen in time, serving as desolate reminders of the mountain's unforgiving nature.
This isn't meant to discourage aspiring climbers. Rather, it's about understanding the reality of what you're facing and learning from those who came before. If you're seriously considering an Everest expedition, or if you're fascinated by high-altitude mountaineering, this guide will walk you through the sobering truths about the bodies on Everest, the stories behind them, and, most importantly, about what you can learn to stay safe.
As of 2025, more than 300 people have died attempting to climb Mount Everest since expeditions began in the 1920s. While some bodies on Mount Everest have been recovered and returned to families, many remain on the mountain where they fell. The exact number is difficult to pin down because melting glaciers occasionally reveal climbers who perished decades ago, while others become buried under fresh snow and ice.
Here's what makes this situation particularly unique: the extreme cold and dry conditions at high altitude essentially freeze-dry human remains, preserving them for decades. Unlike other mountains where bodies might decompose or be hidden by vegetation, Everest's bodies can remain visible for years, sometimes becoming landmarks that other climbers use for navigation.
The death rate on Everest has improved over the decades thanks to better equipment, weather forecasting, and safety protocols. In the early years of climbing, roughly one in four climbers who attempted the summit died. Today, that ratio has improved to approximately one death for every 100 successful summits. However, this statistic can be misleading; the absolute number of deaths has increased simply because far more people attempt the climb each year.
If you've never climbed at extreme altitude, you might wonder: why don't they just bring the bodies down? The answer reveals just how dangerous Everest truly is.
Above 26,000 feet lies what mountaineers call the Death Zone, altitudes where the human body literally begins to die. At this elevation, there's only about one-third the oxygen available at sea level. Your body cannot acclimatise to these conditions; it can only deteriorate. Every minute spent in the Death Zone is a minute your body is slowly shutting down.
Now imagine trying to move a body weighing 150-200 pounds (or more with gear) through this zone. It typically requires 6-8 climbers working together, and the process can take hours or even days. Each person involved is burning precious energy and oxygen while exposing themselves to the same dangers that killed the person they're trying to recover.
The terrain itself presents enormous challenges. Many bodies on Mount Everestlie in areas with:
Helicopters, which might seem like an obvious solution, face severe limitations. The thin air at extreme altitudes reduces rotor efficiency dramatically, making it impossible for helicopters to fly and land at such extreme altitudes. Most helicopters can't safely operate above 20,000 feet, and even specialised high-altitude helicopters struggle beyond 23,000 feet. The summit of Everest at 29,032 feet is simply beyond reach.
Recovery operations are extraordinarily expensive, often costing between $30,000 and $200,000 depending on the location and complexity. This financial burden typically falls on the deceased climber's family, who must weigh this cost against other considerations. Many families, after careful thought, choose to leave their loved ones on the mountain, viewing Everest as a final resting place that honours the climber's passion.
Some bodies on Everest have become so well-known that they serve as waypoints for navigation. Understanding their stories isn't morbid; it's about learning from their experiences and honouring their memory.
Perhaps the most famous body on Everest belonged to a climber known simply as "Green Boots," widely believed to be Tsewang Paljor, an Indian climber who died during the catastrophic 1996 climbing season. His body, distinguished by bright green mountaineering boots, rested in a small limestone cave on the Northeast Ridge route at approximately 27,890 feet.
For nearly 20 years, virtually every climber taking the north route passed Green Boots. His location in the cave offered a brief respite from the wind, and many climbers would stop there to rest, often sitting mere feet from his body. Some reported the psychological challenge of this experience, resting beside someone who had made the same journey but never returned.
What climbers can learn:
Green Boots was part of an Indo-Tibetan Border Police expedition that pushed on despite deteriorating weather conditions. The decision to continue climbing despite warning signs proved fatal. Modern climbers should remember that turning back is not failure, it's wisdom. The summit will always be there; you might not be if you push too hard.
The body was reportedly moved to a less visible location around 2014, though accounts vary. Whether his presence is still there or not, his story remains.
Francys Arsentiev earned her nickname posthumously, but her achievement in life was remarkable. In 1998, she became the first American woman to summit Everest without supplemental oxygen, a feat that requires extraordinary physical conditioning and mental toughness.
Tragically, Francys and her husband Sergei became separated during their descent. Sergei, realising his wife was in trouble, climbed back up to help her but disappeared, likely falling to his death. Francys was found alive by other climbers the next day, but she was too far gone to save. The extreme altitude, lack of oxygen, and exposure had taken their toll. She died on the mountain, and her body remained visible for nine years.
In 2007, climber Ian Woodall, who had encountered Francys during her final hours in 1998, returned to Everest specifically to move her body to a more secluded location, wrapping her in an American flag. He described it as "a debt that needed to be paid."
What climbers can learn:
Even the strongest, most experienced climbers can fall victim to Everest. Francys was attempting one of the most difficult styles of climbing, without supplemental oxygen. While this "alpine style" is admired in the climbing community, it dramatically increases risk. Modern climbers should carefully consider whether the prestige of climbing without oxygen is worth the exponentially greater danger.
The 1996 climbing season saw eight climbers die in a single storm, making it one of the deadliest days in Everest history. This disaster was later chronicled in Jon Krakauer's bestselling book "Into Thin Air" and the film "Everest."
Multiple factors were responsible for creating this tragedy:
Among the dead were experienced guides Rob Hall and Scott Fischer, proving that expertise alone cannot guarantee survival.
What climbers can learn:
This disaster revolutionised how Everest expeditions are conducted. Modern climbers should insist on:
Others talked about bodies on Everest include those of George Mallory and Sandy Irvine, whose remains were found 75 years later, David Fisher, who was found in Green Boots Cave but mistaken for a frozen body by other climbers, Shriya Shah Klorfine, a Canadian mountaineer of Nepalese descent, all met a tragic ending on the lap of Everest. Rest in peace to all those who gave their lives on Everest, forever part of the mountain they dared to climb.
Rainbow Valley is located in the "death zone" above 8,000 meters on Everest's Northeast Ridge. No, you will not see rainbows or anything near it in this valley because the name comes from the brightly colored jackets of climbers who died there with reds, blues, yellows, and greens visible against the white snow. This is how the Rainbow Valley of Everest came into existence.
The bodies can't be brought down because the altitude makes rescue nearly impossible. The air is too thin, and climbers can barely move themselves, let alone carry someone else. Most bodies on Mount Everest have been there for years, frozen and preserved by the extreme cold.
These fallen climbers often become landmarks that other mountaineers pass on their way to the summit. One of the most famous is "Green Boots," believed to be climber Tsewang Paljor, who died in 1996.
Rainbow Valley is a sobering reminder of Everest's dangers. At that altitude, a small mistake, bad weather, or running out of oxygen can be fatal. The colourful gear scattered across the mountainside tells the story of climbers who didn't make it back down.
Rainbow Valley tells the truth about Everest, even though it’s breathtakingly beautiful and utterly unforgiving. Each colourful jacket in the snow represents someone who pushed themselves to the absolute limit, chasing something extraordinary. And sometimes, the mountain asks for everything in return.
If you're seriously planning an Everest expedition or any mountain trails of Nepal, these lessons drawn from decades of tragedy could save your life.
Many deaths on Everest happen during descent, often after successful summits. Why? Because climbers use all their energy reaching the top, then face the more technically challenging descent while exhausted and running low on oxygen.
The 2 PM Rule: Most experienced expedition leaders enforce a strict turnaround time, typically around 2 PM, regardless of how close you are to the summit. If you haven't reached the top by then, you turn back. This ensures enough daylight and energy for descent.
Put it into practice: Before you even leave base camp, have a conversation with yourself and your team. While you are in the Sagarmatha National Park to embark on your adventure or on Everest Base Camp, commit to turning back if you hit the turnaround time. Write it down. Tell your family. Make it non-negotiable.
Sherpas aren't just porters; they're the most experienced high-altitude climbers on the planet. Many have summited Everest dozens of times throughout their careers. They know the mountain's moods, they can read weather signs you'll miss, and they have an intimate understanding of the terrain.
The 2014 avalanche that killed 16 Sherpas in the Khumbu Icefall was a turning point in how the climbing community views Sherpa contributions. These aren't just workers; they're your partners in one of the most dangerous endeavours humans undertake.
Put it into practice: Listen when your Sherpa guide suggests changes to the plan. Ask questions to understand their reasoning. Remember that they have families waiting for them at home, just like you do; they're not going to suggest unnecessary risks.
Altitude sickness kills, and it doesn't discriminate based on fitness level. In fact, sometimes the fittest climbers push too hard and don't give their bodies time to adapt.
Proper Everest acclimatisation typically takes 6-8 weeks and involves:
Put it into practice: Don't rush the acclimatisation schedule, even if you feel great. Your expedition leader has planned these rotations for a reason. Use the time at base camp to rest, hydrate, and mentally prepare.
While some elite climbers summit without supplemental oxygen, the vast majority use it, and for good reason. Oxygen reduces the physiological stress on your body, helps you think more clearly, and significantly improves your chances of survival.
However, oxygen isn't a guarantee of safety; it's a tool that must be used correctly:
Put it into practice: Know how to troubleshoot your oxygen system. Carry backup regulators. Monitor your supply obsessively. And remember: oxygen helps, but it doesn't eliminate the dangers.
The commercialisation of Everest has created a wide range in expedition quality. Some companies provide excellent support, experienced guides, and rigorous safety standards. Others cut corners to offer lower prices, sometimes with fatal consequences, where climbers lose their lives because of technical incompetence from the company.
Red flags to watch for:
Put it into practice: Research expedition companies thoroughly. Read reviews from past clients. Ask about their safety record. Understand that the cheapest option is rarely the best option when your life is on the line.
Summiting Everest requires both physical endurance and mental resilience. You'll need:
Physical preparation:
Mental preparation:
Put it into practice: Start training at least one year before your expedition. Include altitude training if possible. Consider hiring a sports psychologist to work on mental preparation. Climb progressively higher peaks to build experience.
At some point during your Everest climb, you'll likely encounter human remains. This is one of the aspects of the mountain that no amount of training can fully prepare you for.
Some bodies are partially covered by snow. Others are obvious and spotted easily, widely exposed against the snow. You might see clothing, equipment, or frozen hands reaching out from the ice. These aren't abstract statistics, but they're people who had dreams, families, and lives beyond the mountain.
The climbing community continues to debate whether more should be done to recover bodies. Some argue that leaving them dishonours the dead; others believe the mountain is an appropriate resting place for those who loved it enough to risk everything.
There's no easy answer, but as a climber, you should think about these questions before you go:
Today's Everest climbers face challenges that didn't exist decades ago:
On peak climbing days, hundreds of climbers might attempt the summit simultaneously. This creates:
In May 2019, a photo of climbers queued in a long line near the summit went viral, sparking worldwide debate about Everest's commercialisation.
The mountain itself is changing:
The pandemic forced the cancellation of the 2020 climbing season entirely. The 2021 season saw multiple COVID outbreaks at base camp, demonstrating that even at the top of the world, you're not isolated from global health threats. Climbing resumed, and many climbers are on their journey to Everest now, if you happen to read this during the climbing season.
Mount Everest represents the pinnacle of human ambition and endurance. Standing on top of the world is an achievement that few will ever experience. But that achievement comes with responsibility to yourself, your family, your team, and to those who came before you.
The bodies on Mount Everest aren't just tragic statistics. They're teachers. Each one has a story, and each story carries lessons:
Planning an Everest Expedition? Here’s what you can look at before your big adventure. Recommended Reading:
If you're planning an Everest expedition or base camp trek, use these stories as motivation, not for fear, but for respect. Respect the mountain's power. Respect the experience of those who've climbed before you. Respect your own limitations and the wisdom to turn back when necessary.
And remember: the summit is optional, but getting down is mandatory. The mountain will always be there. Make sure you can be there too, to come home to the people who love you, to share your story, and perhaps to climb another day.
The frozen legends of Everest have earned their place on the mountain. Honour their memory by climbing smart, safe, and with the humility that this magnificent peak demands.
The death zone on Mount Everest refers to the altitude above 8000m, where the levels of oxygen are extremely low, and the human body cannot acclimate well. The climbers in the death zone face severe risks such as altitude sickness, frostbite and even organic failure due to extreme conditions, which limit their time in this zone to survive.
The major reasons that lead to death on Mount Everest include falls, avalanches, extreme weather, altitude sickness and longer exposure in the death zone above 8000 metres.
The oldest dead body on Everest is the body of George Mallory, a British climber, who disappeared near the summit in 1924, and his body was discovered in 1999, which was over 75 years later, as it was preserved in the ice and snow. His body was intact even after many decades, which reflects the extreme conditions of Everest.
The dead bodies are not removed from Everest because of the high altitude, dangerous slopes and extreme weather, which make the recovery of the body very risky, filled with technical difficulties. The cost of bringing the bodies back is also very expensive and often too dangerous. Because of these reasons, Everest is the frozen grave for many climbers.
Yes, Sleeping Beauty is still on Everest. She was Francys Arsentiev, an American climber who died on Mount Everest in 1998, where her frozen body was given that nickname. Her body was visible to climbers for many years, but in 2007, a team of climbers led by Ian Woodall relocated her body away from the main climbing route out of respect.
The 2 PM rule on Mount Everest refers to the rule which means the climbers should turn back if they haven’t reached the summit by 2 PM. This rule helps to prevent the dangerous late descents, accidents, and risks in the death zone.
Yes, many dead bodies are still visible on Everest, along the popular routes and in the death zone above 8000 meters. The extreme cold and ice preserve the bodies for years, making some climbers unavoidable reminders of the mountain’s dangers. The climbers have to pass through them and even stepover the frozen corpses of Everest.
About the Author
Rejina KC
Rejina is a writer who turns every journey into a story. She captures the beauty of places, hidden corners, and local cultures, inviting readers to see travel as both an adventure and a path to self-discovery.
