Apa Sherpa, 49, has climbed Mount Everest a record 18 times but now he’s preparing for a 19th, this time to clean up the mess left by the thousands of climbers who have scaled the mountain since 1953.
Apa, a high-altitude guide, plans to take the Eco Everest Expedition up the mountain to clean up garbage left by previous expeditions. Climbers have noted the build-up of waste on the mountain for several years.
But Apa will leave something on the mountain as well: a vase containing 400 sacred Buddhist offerings at the summit. The offerings are intended to raise awareness about climate change and restore the sanctity of the Himalayas, according to the WWF.
Apa will also carry a banner reading: “Stop Climate Change; Let the Himalayas Live!” The mountains’ glaciers have been rapidly shrinking due to decreased rain, shrinking the water supply for people, animals and plants living in the valleys below.
“It is not easy but I hope I will succeed,” Sherpa said. “If I can reach the vase to the top I will be happy because it is for peace and climate change.”
[Via Reuters] Photo Credit: mckaysavage on Flickr under Creative Commons license.
Sounds like a pretty cool guy. Best of luck!
RT
http://www.anonymity.us.tc
I don’t think the Himalayas have anything to worry about. They were here long before us, and will be here long after we are gone. They will live.
It seems like attempting a feat like that, trash is the last thing climbers are worried about. No animals live up that high, and I am sure most of the stuff is buried by snow never to be seen again. It may even act as a habitat for future animals. Similar to sunken ship wrecks.
I think Apa plans to go back to Mount Everest next year. A remarkable guy! It was good to read how much junk they brought down of the mountain.