The Mystery of the Green Boots on Mount Everest

The Green Boots on Mount Everest are one of the most haunting and recognizable landmarks on the world’s highest peak. This frozen body of Tsewang Paljor, who was wearing the green boots, lying curled in a limestone cave near the summit, has become a creepy waypoint for climbers ascending the Northeast Ridge of Mount Everest.

Mystery on Mount Everest: Who was the Green Boots?

While there is no official confirmation, most climbers and mountaineers believe that Green Boots is the body of Tsewang Paljor, an Indian climber. Tsewang Paljor was born on April 10, 1968, in a small village in India. Since his early childhood, he has had a passion for mountains.

Later, he joined the Indian police and became a part of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP). The head of the constable got the chance to conquer the top of the world in May 1996 at the age of 28. The team ascended the Everest from the Northeast Ridge route. As mentioned by John Krakauer in his book Into Thin Air, he was a member of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police Everest Expedition, which was climbing Everest from the Tibetan side of the mountain.

It is said that they did not hire any sherpas during their expedition. They suffered the harsh weather and lost their way. As the storm intensified, communication with base camp was lost. He and his two teammates encountered a fierce blizzard that ultimately led to their deaths.

His body was later found curled in a cave at approximately 8,500 meters, where it has remained ever since. Paljor, recognized by his distinctive neon-green Koflach boots, became an accidental landmark on Everest.

The Death Zone: Where Green Boots Rest

The area above 8,000 meters on Everest is called the “Death Zone” due to its extremely low oxygen levels, harsh weather, and life-threatening conditions. The human body cannot survive long in this region without supplemental oxygen. Many climbers who perish here are left where they fall, as retrieving bodies is often too dangerous. A mountain like Manaslu is even called the killer mountain because of its extreme death zone.

The Green Boots rest in a small cave on the Northeast Ridge, an area many climbers pass on their way to the summit. Over the years, his frozen form has become an ominous waypoint, signaling the dangers that lie ahead.

Who identified the Green Boots first?

For years, the climbers attempting the north ridge passed by a pair of green boots. Some even used the cave called “Green Boots Cave” at an altitude of 27,890 feet as a temporary resting spot, sitting beside the frozen body to catch their breath.

British filmmaker and climber Matt Dickinson recorded the first video footage of Green Boots in May 1996. The footage was included in the Brian Blessed documentary Summit Fever.

Koflach is a famous company that produces various equipment for climbers. When a body was found on Everest with a pair of bright-green Koflach boots by climbers under a cave, it became a symbol of courage to the climbers globally. Collecting information and the film’s narration described the unidentified climber as being from India, and it was later confirmed as Tsewang Paljor.

The Disappearance and Reappearance of the Green Boots

In 2014, reports emerged that Green Boots had disappeared from his cave, leading to speculation that he had either been moved by an expedition or buried under snow and ice. It was moved to a less conspicuous location by the members of the China Tibet Mountaineering Association, which is responsible for managing the north side of Everest. However, in 2017, climbers noticed that the missing body again reappeared, possibly as part of an effort to reduce the number of visible corpses on the mountain.

Should Green Boots Stay on Everest Forever?

The case of Green Boots has raised a debate about whether the corpses should be left on Everest as a warning and memorial or should be removed for the dignity of the deceased. Many climbers have argued that the risk involved in retrieving the bodies is too great, while others argue that they deserve a warm farewell from family and relatives.

The high-altitude rescue and removal of bodies requires extraordinary effort, often costing thousands of dollars and risking additional lives. For this reason, many climbers remain on Everest, their bodies becoming part of the mountain itself.

Why Is It Difficult to Retrieve Bodies from Everest?

Retrieving a dead body from the death zones of Everest is extremely risky due to the high altitude and lack of oxygen. In addition, the costs for the retrieval of the corpses range from $30,000 to $70,000. Ice, crevasses, and weather conditions make body recovery nearly impossible.

Why is The Death Zone so Deadly?

The death zone is the region above 8,000 m above sea level where the human body cannot breathe properly due to a lack of oxygen. Beyond this deadly level, the human body starts dying due to extreme environmental conditions, strong wind, and a narrow trail.

The green boots are one of the most well-known yet haunting features of Everest’s infamous “Death Zone.”

How Many Dead Bodies Are on Everest?

The Green Boots are not the only bodies stuck on Mount Everest. Dozens of other climbers remain silent and immobile on the mountain, many preserved in the ice. Some of the most well-known include The Sleeping Beauty, David Sharp, and The Rainbow Valley, named after the brightly colored jackets of fallen climbers. Mostly, the body either remains uncovered in the Rainbow Valley or is sometimes retrieved, costing an arm and a leg.

There are an estimated over 300 bodies on Mount Everest. Only a few are visible, while others are buried under ice and snow.

Efforts to Clean Up Mount Everest

As the Nepalese and Chinese governments have made efforts to clear Mount Everest of waste and abandoned bodies, it is uncertain whether Green Boots will remain a visible part of the mountain’s history. Recovery of a dead body is itself another challenge in high mountains. Time and again, we are losing a greater number of people who try to retrieve another corpse from Mount Everest.

However, the Nepal government, the Chinese government, and private expeditions are into removing waste and bodies from Mount Everest and other mountains of Nepal and China.

A Haunting Reminder of Mount Everest’s Toll

The legend of Green Boots is not just some creepy story. It is a tale every mountaineer whispers about. The Sherpas and climbers share tales of green boots and other deceased individuals on Everest during the expedition. Such stories explain how deadly Everest is. Not only Everest but all mountains above 8000 m do not spare any climber. There is no difference in age or gender among the people. It does not forgive and challenge everyone with extreme weather, cold, and thin air. The slopes and glaciers still hide hundreds of dead bodies, still frozen and carrying just old memories.

These spooky and tragic stories teach climbers to be careful and respect every rule of climbing. It also teaches to reduce waste, contribute to creating green tourism, and reduce the impact of humans on global warming and weather-related disasters. Is the soul of the dead still on Everest? This is not what we would like to discuss now. All we can do is respect their bodies if found during our mission to Everest. Honor those who showed us the way to the summit but never returned home. If we learn from the misfortune that happened with them and the mistakes they made, we will certainly return safely to the lower base camps in Everest.