Mount Everest, the tallest mountain on Earth at 8,848.86 meters (29,031 feet), stands as a powerful symbol of human courage and adventure.

Each year, climbers from around the world take on the challenge of reaching its summit, facing freezing temperatures, unpredictable weather, and thin air.

However, this passion for Everest has brought serious challenges to the environment and the local communities who support these expeditions.

Over time, Everest has earned the disturbing nickname "the world’s highest garbage dump." Climbers leave behind discarded tents, broken gear, oxygen bottles, food wrappers, and human waste.

It is estimated that each climber leaves about 8 kilograms (17.6 pounds) of trash on the mountain. Melting glaciers have started to reveal even more hidden waste, highlighting an urgent need for solutions.

Besides environmental damage, Everest's harsh terrain poses extreme risks to Sherpas and Icefall Doctors, who are crucial to the success and safety of expeditions. These dedicated professionals make up to 15 dangerous trips through the Khumbu Icefall, setting ropes and ladders to ensure climbers can pass safely.

The icefall is filled with deep crevasses, towering ice blocks, and unstable seracs, making it one of the most treacherous parts of the climb.

As discussed in our previously published articles on Everest porters, Icefall Doctors, and Waste Management at Everest, these challenges highlight the need for innovative solutions.

One of the most promising advancements is drone technology, which is transforming operations on Everest by improving safety, supporting logistics, aiding rescue missions, and addressing environmental problems.

The Start of Using Drones in the Himalayas

In 2025, a groundbreaking change took place on Everest when drone technology was introduced on a large scale. This initiative was led by Airlift Technology, a Nepalese startup founded by Raj Bikram Maharjan, in partnership with the Khumbu Pasang Lamhu Rural Municipality, the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee (SPCC), and China-based DJI, the world's largest drone manufacturer (Gökce, 2025).

This move was inspired by a tragic incident in 2023, when three Sherpas lost their lives in an avalanche while fixing ropes in the Khumbu Icefall.

Despite dangerous rescue attempts, their bodies could not be recovered. This tragedy highlighted the urgent need to find safer alternatives for high-risk tasks.

Airlift Technology customized drones to handle high altitudes, freezing temperatures, and unpredictable weather. In 2024, 15 trial flights using DJI FlyCart drones successfully transported 234 kilograms (515 pounds) of waste from Everest and 641 kilograms (1,413 pounds) from Mount Ama Dablam. These drones can carry loads of up to 25 kilograms (55 pounds) and withstand harsh Himalayan conditions.

The introduction of drones is not meant to replace Sherpas but to assist them by reducing the number of dangerous load-carrying trips, ultimately reducing the casualties.

This approach allows Sherpas to focus on guiding climbers, fixing routes, and providing vital support at higher camps.

Key Uses of Drones on Everest

Rescue Operations

Rescue missions on Everest are among the most perilous in the world. When climbers become lost or injured above 7,000 meters, the risks to rescuers are extreme due to altitude sickness, frostbite, and the threat of avalanches.

Drones have revolutionized rescue operations by acting as rapid-response tools. They are equipped with thermal cameras and 3D mapping capabilities, allowing them to locate missing climbers in minutes.

- In March 2025, a chilling incident unfolded in the frigid heights of the Everest region. Three Chinese trekkers (a father and his two daughters) lost their way in the Dingboche area.

- With only two porters and no guide, they had pushed on toward Cho La Pass, a treacherous trail perched at 5,368 meters above sea level. By nightfall, they were missing, sparking panic throughout the region.

- Using thermal detection cameras and 3D terrain mapping, a drone located them within an hour, guiding rescuers directly to their location and saving them from what could have been a fatal outcome (Prasain, 2025).

This technological advancement significantly reduces the risks to Sherpas and other rescuers, saving valuable time and increasing the chances of survival in emergencies.

Supply and Equipment Transport

Traditionally, Sherpas carried essential supplies through the dangerous Khumbu Icefall, making multiple trips with heavy loads. This task, which could take six to seven hours, exposed them to life-threatening hazards.

Now, drones can transport up to 25-36 kilograms (55-79 pounds) in a single trip and reach altitudes as high as 6,130 meters (20,111 feet) (McNabb, 2025). What used to take hours on foot now takes drones just seven minutes from Base Camp to Camp I.

Supplies such as ladders, ropes, oxygen cylinders, tents, and medical kits are now quickly delivered ahead of climbers. This reduces the number of times Sherpas must cross dangerous areas, greatly minimizing fatigue and accidents.

Note: Sherpas play a vital role in mountaineering. Drones support them by taking over the heaviest and most hazardous loads, allowing them to focus on guiding and critical decision-making.

Waste Collection and Environmental Protection

Mount Everest is facing a severe waste crisis. Helicopters are rarely used for waste removal because they are expensive and dangerous at high altitudes.

Instead, Sherpas have traditionally carried heavy bags of waste down the mountain, adding to their already enormous workload.

Drones offer a practical, eco-friendly alternative. They have already transported 234 kilograms (515 pounds) of waste from high camps to Base Camp, supporting the massive clean-up operations led by SPCC and local authorities (Sherpa, 2025).

In 2025 alone, cleanup teams removed significant amounts of waste from Everest:

New rules require climbers to carry out at least 8 kilograms of their waste and use biodegradable "poop bags" in higher camps.

Drones support these efforts by retrieving extra waste from difficult areas, preventing environmental damage, and protecting the Himalayan ecosystem.

Case Studies: Drones in Action on Everest

Several examples illustrate how drones are transforming Everest.

- In April 2025, after a sudden ice collapse destroyed ladders in the Khumbu Icefall, drones quickly delivered new ladders and ropes, allowing climbers to continue without unnecessary risks.

- Another remarkable case involved a drone that detected a massive hanging ice block (serac) on Mount Pumori. The early warning allowed climbers to cancel their ascent, avoiding what could have been a fatal accident.

- On Mount Ama Dablam, drones carried 641 kilograms (1,413 pounds) of waste from high camps to Base Camp during a successful cleanup in 2024.

Note: These case studies showcase the drones’ efficiency, flexibility, and crucial role in preventing disasters and supporting environmental goals.

Technical Achievements and Records

Operating drones on Everest presents unique technical challenges. They must withstand winds up to 15 m/s, temperatures as low as -15°C, and operate at extremely high altitudes where air density is very low.

Key achievements include:

• Altitude record: Reached 6,130 meters, higher than any previous drone flights.
• Payload capacity: Carried 25-36 kilograms per trip.
• Delivery speed: Reduced delivery time from six to seven hours on foot to just seven minutes.
• Flight efficiency: Completed over 40 supply and cleanup flights from Camp I to Base Camp.
• Total load carried: Over 2.5 tonnes of gear and waste transported in the 2025 season.

Although each drone costs around $70,000, its contribution to safety and environmental protection justifies the investment. Plans for local assembly could cut costs in half, making widespread adoption more feasible.

Benefits for Sherpas and Climbers

Sherpas are the heart of Himalayan climbing. They guide, carry supplies, and fix routes in some of the world’s most dangerous environments.

However, they face severe risks, especially while crossing the Khumbu Icefall multiple times with heavy loads.

Drones now handle the most dangerous logistical tasks, allowing Sherpas to focus on guiding climbers and maintaining safety.

Veteran Icefall Doctor Dawa Janzu Sherpa shared that drones reduce their travel time and risk by half, giving them more security and better health (Mitra, 2025).

The integration of drones also offers Sherpas opportunities to learn new skills, such as drone piloting and technical maintenance, providing them with modern career options while preserving their cultural heritage.

Environmental Impact and Trash Crisis

The waste crisis on Everest threatens not only the mountain’s beauty but also the region’s water sources and ecosystem.

Melting glaciers contaminated by human waste and garbage flow into rivers, impacting local communities downstream.

Since 2019, cleanup projects have removed over 119 tons of waste from Everest and nearby peaks and recovered 14 bodies of fallen climbers (Reuters, 2025).

In 2025, drones played a critical role in these efforts, moving trash directly from high camps to Base Camp.

By reducing helicopter use, drones also cut down carbon emissions and noise pollution, further protecting the fragile mountain environment.

As discussed in our Waste Management on Everest Region Article, drones represent a modern, sustainable solution to a longstanding problem.

Drone vs Human Porter: A Careful Balance

While drones provide remarkable support, they do not replace Sherpas. Human expertise, judgment, and adaptability remain essential.

Sherpas are irreplaceable when it comes to guiding climbers, making critical decisions, and navigating unpredictable conditions.

Drones serve as strong partners, taking on heavy and dangerous logistical tasks, but the human spirit and knowledge remain at the core of mountaineering (Singh, 2025).

This careful balance ensures that tradition and innovation work hand in hand rather than in opposition.

Future Plans and Expanding to Other Mountains

Encouraged by success on Everest, Airlift Technology plans to expand drone use to other high-risk peaks like Manaslu and Annapurna, where similar challenges with waste and dangerous supply routes exist.

Beyond mountaineering, these drones could support agricultural transport, medical supply drops, and emergency relief in remote Himalayan villages.

By embracing technology, these communities can gain safer, faster access to vital goods and services.

Challenges and Limitations of Drone Use

Despite their many advantages, drones face significant challenges on Everest. Harsh weather, strong winds, freezing temperatures, and low air density can affect their battery life and flight stability. Each mission requires detailed planning and highly skilled drone pilots.

Tragically, in April 2025, an avalanche on Annapurna claimed two Sherpas despite drone surveillance, highlighting that technology cannot eliminate all risks. Financial hurdles also remain, as high costs restrict rapid scaling.

Even so, drones continue to prove themselves as valuable allies in high-altitude expeditions, improving safety and reducing environmental impacts.

The Human Connection: Sherpas and Technology

Sherpas have been integral to Everest's history since the first successful climbs. Their unmatched experience, strength, and local wisdom are irreplaceable assets.

Rather than threatening this legacy, drones offer Sherpas a chance to stay safer and learn new technical skills. By training as drone operators or maintenance experts, Sherpas can continue to lead in the evolving world of high-altitude climbing.

At Trek Me Nepal, we believe this cooperation between tradition and innovation embodies the true spirit of Himalayan mountaineering.

Together, Sherpas and technology create a safer, cleaner, and more sustainable future for Everest.

Conclusion: A New Era on Everest

Drone technology is shaping a new chapter in Everest's story. By improving safety for Sherpas, delivering essential supplies quickly, enhancing rescue operations, and tackling the mountain’s waste crisis, drones are redefining what is possible in the Himalayas.

This transformation does not diminish the mountain’s challenge or the value of human expertise. Instead, it creates a future where cleaner mountains, safer expeditions, and stronger communities stand as Everest’s new legacy.

At Trek Me Nepal, we proudly support these innovations as part of our commitment to responsible and sustainable adventure tourism.

By blending tradition with modern technology, we honor both the mountain and the people who call it home.

References

Gökce, S. (2025, June 26). Nepal startup deploys drones to remove trash from Mount Everest. Retrieved from AA: https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/nepal-startup-deploys-drones-to-remove-trash-from-mount-everest/3613565

McNabb, M. (2025, April 21). Drones Take Flight on Everest: Airlift Launches Supply Missions to High-Altitude Camps. Retrieved from Drone Life: https://dronelife.com/2025/04/21/everest-drone-deliveries-airlift/

Mitra, E. (2025, April 21). Drones can deliver supplies on Mount Everest this year, and it may change climbing forever. Retrieved from CNN Travel: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/04/20/travel/nepal-mount-everest-drone-technology-intl-hnk

Prasain, S. (2025, June 9). Now drones save lives in Everest death zone. Retrieved from The Kathmandu Post: https://kathmandupost.com/money/2025/06/09/now-drones-save-lives-in-everest-death-zone

Reuters. (2025, June 25). Drones tackle Everest’s trash crisis, hauling gear up and garbage down. Retrieved from GMA News Online: https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/scitech/technology/950642/drones-tackle-everest-s-trash-crisis-hauling-gear-up-and-garbage-down/story/

Sherpa, S. (2025, June 6). Drones revolutionise climbing on Mt Everest. Retrieved from The Himalayan Times: https://thehimalayantimes.com/business/drones-revolutionise-climbing-on-mt-everest

Sherpa, S. (2025, March 20). Drones to clean Everest and minimise casualties. Retrieved from The Himalayan Times: https://thehimalayantimes.com/environment/drones-to-clean-everest-and-minimise-casualties

Singh, N. (2025, March 18). Mount Everest's new Sherpas? Drones will now do the heavy lifting. Retrieved from Business Standard: https://www.business-standard.com/world-news/mount-everest-drones-nepal-sherpa-safety-expedition-2025-airlift-dji-125031800481_1.html