The Nepalese authorities are planning to relocate the base camp on Mount Everest. The Khumbu glacier, where the camp is located, has become extremely unsafe due to global warming and widespread human activity.
The camp, which can accommodate up to 1,500 people at a time during the climbing season from March to May, is located at an altitude of 5,364 metres. It will now be moved to an area below 200 to 400 metres. A government employee told the BBC that there would be no snow all year long BBC†
Like many other Himalayan glaciers, the Khumbu Glacier is melting at a rapid pace due to global warming. Researchers from the University of Leeds have calculated that on the stretch near the base camp, one meter disappears every year.
This causes more rockslide and meltwater movement. This makes the glacier unstable. A stream in the center of base camp expands rapidly, and mountaineers also report that more and more cracks and fissures appear in the ice at night.
“When we wake up in the morning, many have the frightening feeling that we might have fallen into one of those cracks at night. It’s a big risk,” Nepalese Col Kishore Adhikari told the BBC. He stayed in base camp after climbing season to clean up. Loud noises are heard regularly. From moving ice or falling rocks.
4000 liters of urine per day
The presence of a lot of people in the camp also plays a role. For example, about 4,000 liters of urine is excreted every day. According to the authorities, kerosene and gas used for cooking also affect the melting of ice.
It is not clear when this step will take place. According to experts, the current base camp can be safely used for another 3-4 years, but the authorities say that it may be moved as early as 2024.
