A new initiative using cargo drones is transforming how supplies are delivered—and trash is removed—from Mount Everest. Led by Nepal’s Airlift Technology in collaboration with drone maker DJI, the program is using powerful drones to transport gear like oxygen tanks and ladders up the mountain, and bring garbage back down. Traditionally, Sherpas carried these loads through dangerous terrain like the Khumbu Icefall, facing life-threatening risks. In recent tests, drones completed in minutes what previously took Sherpas hours, carrying up to 15 kg of cargo at a time—even at high altitudes.
Between March and May 2025, these drones helped remove over 1 tonne of waste from Everest’s upper camps, significantly reducing the burden on human porters. With each climber leaving behind around 8 kg of trash, the mountain has accumulated nearly 50 tonnes of garbage over the years. This drone program—backed by local authorities and the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee—is now being scaled up for future climbing seasons. It marks a major shift in how Everest expeditions are being supported, prioritizing both environmental cleanup and the safety of Sherpa communities. More