For some outdoor enthusiasts, climbing Mount Everest is one of the greatest feats that could ever be accomplished. For many adventure seekers it is one of the top things to do on their bucket list. It’s a once in a lifetime experience that requires a lot of planning. The cost of hiking Mount Everest can range anywhere from $30,000 if you do it 100% on your own with no guides and can go up to $100,000 if you choose to go the custom trip route. Regardless, you are going to be spending a lot of money on this trip. Not only is the trip very expensive, it can last for six to nine weeks, depending on the type of trip you are taking, the shape you are in, and other factors can make the trip longer or shorter. With this trip being so expensive and so time-consuming, it’s hard to believe what has happened and continues to happen on Mount Everest. The pictures below are gruesome, but also show a sad side to completing all items on your bucket list.
This is a body of a woman who 2 hikers ended up passing. As they passed her she was asking them not to leave her behind, but due to the harsh weather and tight schedule, they had no choice but to leave her behind.Because of the guilt they felt, they did save enough money to return to this spot and give the unknown woman a proper burial.
Part of the harshness of this climb is the reality that you may come across other climbers that are near death, but you have to continue on so you don’t have the same fate. This would be mentally exhausting on top of the physical exhaustion they are already feeling due to the climb and altitude.
These are the remains of George Mallory, who fell to his death in 1924.
Due to the extreme weather conditions on Mount Everest, they have found bodies who have been missing for 50+ years that have very minimal decomposition.
After all said and done, a lot of climbers have said that one of the hardest parts about the climb is seeing the dead bodies of climbers that weren’t as lucky as they were.
Considering the cost of this trip, would it be worth risking your life, knowing that if you do die, your body may never be recovered?
A lot of deaths have been from climbers stopping to take a nap, and then they never wake up, succumbing to the harsh environment.
Recovering bodies from Mount Everest is an impossible task due to the snow, ice, terrain, and cold temperatures.
This body has been named “Green Boots” because of his hiking boots. A lot of the bodies found along the trails have been nicknamed and are now used as landmarks when completing the hike.
Frostbite may not seem like an ailment that would be deadly, the temperatures can get so frigid that instant frostbite can turn deadly very quickly. With limited medical and heating resources, frostbite and hypothermia are definitely two things that can lead to death in a very short amount of time.</strong
While hiking and camping are great pastimes, I don’t know if I’d be able to hike Mount Everest. Not only does it require a huge physical, mental, and monetary commitment, I don’t know if the risks would necessarily outweigh the benefits.