How Many Corpses Are On Mount Everest

So, there I was, trudging up the Khumbu Icefall on my way to Everest Base Camp. I'm no Sherpa, just a regular Joe with a bucket list and a pair of sturdy boots. I'd heard the tales, you know, about the bodies up there. But I thought, nah, can't be that many. Let's find out, shall we?

Why the heck are there corpses on Everest?

Well, mate, it's not like they're leaving them there on purpose. Most of these poor souls died trying to summit the big E. The altitude, the cold, the sheer exhaustion - it's a nasty combo. And once you're gone, it's not like you can just pick up and move. So, there they stay, frozen in time, as it were.

How many are we talking about?

Alright, here's where it gets a bit grim. Estimates vary, but it's thought there are around 200 bodies up there. Some are well-hidden, others... not so much. You might be thinking, "That's crazy! Why not just move them?" Well, for starters, it's bloody hard to get to them. And secondly, it's a bit of a cultural thing. Many families want their loved ones to stay where they died.

Plus, it's not like we're talking about some grim graveyard. The bodies are frozen solid, preserved by the cold. Some climbers even report feeling a sense of peace up there, among the dead. Weird, I know, but that's Everest for you.

Meet the "Green Boots" and the "Sleeping Beauty"

Ever heard of these guys? They're two of the most famous corpses on Everest. "Green Boots" is this poor fella who died in the Icefall in 1994. His boots were green, hence the name. He's become a sort of landmark for climbers, a grim reminder of the dangers ahead.

"Sleeping Beauty" is a bit more mysterious. She's a woman, believed to be from New Zealand, who died high on the North Face in the 1970s. She's perfectly preserved, lying on her back, eyes closed. Some say she looks like she's just... sleeping. Creepy, huh?

So, what's being done about it?

Well, nothing much, to be honest. The Nepalese government has talked about cleaning up the mountain, but it's a massive task. And like I said, some families don't want their loved ones moved. Plus, it's not like we can just leave them there forever. Eventually, the ice will melt, and... well, let's just say it won't be pretty.

19 Intriguing Pics That Are Also Terrifying | eBaum's World

Some climbers have taken it upon themselves to try and move bodies, or at least cover them up. But it's a dangerous job, and not one I'd fancy. Still, it's something that needs to be addressed, one way or another.

Should we even be climbing Everest?

That's a big question, isn't it? Some say it's disrespectful to the dead to keep climbing over them. Others argue that it's a personal choice, and if you're willing to take the risk, who are they to stop you?

Me? I don't know. I made it to Base Camp, but I didn't feel the need to push on. I've seen enough of Everest's dark side to know I don't want to be part of it. But hey, that's just me. Each to their own, I say.

So there you have it, folks. The grim tale of Everest's corpses. Not a cheery topic, I know, but it's a part of the mountain's history. And if you're planning on climbing it, you should know what you're getting into. Stay safe up there, yeah?