Drones to make Mount Everest safer for Sherpas and climbers

Everest’s new drones are capable of carrying loads as heavy as 35 pounds, meaning they will have no problem transporting equipment essential to the mountain trek, such as ladders and oxygen cylinders.

It is also believed that the drones could be used to address Everest’s growing pollution problem by helping to transporting waste from high-altitude areas, including the mountain’s peak and numerous base camps.

The use of drones will reduce the time and risk involved in climbing to Everest’s 8,849 metre summit by making a a seven hour journey on foot possible in as little as 15 minutes.

The idea for using drones on Everest came in part as a response to the tragic events of 2023, when three Sherpas died in an avalanche while fixing ropes for climbers. Tragically, their bodies could not be recovered because such rescue missions are largely considered too dangerous.

Looking for ways to improve safety, Mingma G. Sherpa, the managing director of Imagine Nepal, was inspired by Chinese expedition companies using drones on Muztagh Ata, a peak in China.

The success of these drones in ferrying climbing gear, food, and other supplies sparked the idea to test their application on Everest, especially in the notoriously dangerous Khumbu Icefall.

In addition to their role in transport, Everest’s drones are expected to assist in the critical task of mapping safe routes through the ever-shifting icefall.

By using geolocation technology, drones will be able to remove many of the challenges involved in identifying and preparing new paths each season.

Drone operators are hopeful that these devices will reduce the load Sherpas’ need to carry, as well as the likelihood of fatal accidents, which have been increasing due climate change’s impact on the mountain’s conditions.

Because the drones can navigate quickly and precisely, they will reduce the number of climbs needed to transport essential medical supplies.

Already, a year of experimentation with drones has taken place with two drones donated by Chinese company DJI.

The drones are being tested by a team of pilots, including those from AirLift, a Nepalese drone startup. These trials will serve to demonstrate the technology’s viability, and hopefully attract investment from expedition companies.

While the introduction of drones seems like a no brainer, their presents an obstacle in implementing them on Everest or on other mountains.

The initial cost of drones is extremely high, sometimes exceeding $70,000 after factoring in taxes, batteries, and additional components.

Still, the use of drones will lower operational costs for expedition companies in the long-term by reducing the number of trips Sherpas need to make, and by minimising the risks involved with every climb.

Start-ups like AirLift are seeking for ways to drive down costs. This includes exploring the option of assembling drones within Nepal, which could reduce the overall price by more than half.

If successful, these trials could make drone technology more widely accessible in the climbing world.

They would also improve safety for and the livelihoods of Sherpas who risk so much to help adventurers reach their goal of reaching the world’s tallest summit.