Drones Show Potential as Sherpa Replacements on Everest: Tests Prove Capability of Transporting 33lbs of Gear to Camp 1
Scaling Everest with Sky-High Tech: Drones as a Game-Changer
With the new Everest climbing season gearing up, discussions about using drones to lighten the load for sherpas are heating up. Nepalese officials are preparing to test drones starting from next month, with visions of these dodads carrying equipment up the mountain.
In 2024, things got interesting when Chinese drone manufacturer DJI teamed up with Nepalese drone service company Airlift and mountain guide Mingma Gyalje Sherpa. They successfully completed the first-ever drone delivery trials, transporting a 15kg payload from base camp to Camp 1. On its return journey, the drone carried trash, making its way back down to base camp.
As reported by the New York Times, Mingma G. Sherpa, the big cheese of tour operator Imagine Nepal, invited a team from DJI to Nepal in the spring of 2024 to test two FlyCart 30 delivery drones. After the unfortunate deaths of three mountain guides in 2023 due to a tragic avalanche, Mingma was keen to find a new way to boost safety.
Intrigued, Mingma discovered that Chinese expedition companies were already using drones on Muztagh Ata, a 7,545m peak in China, to transport essential gear, food, and other items. So, he wondered, why not use drones on Everest's south side, especially the treacherous Khumbu Icefall section?
The Khumbu Icefall, a labyrinth of ice towers, crevasses, and ladders located between base camp and Camp 1, poses a considerable challenge. But flying drones at extreme altitudes comes with its own set of dizzying challenges—high wind speed, freezing temperatures, and low air density.
Post the 2024 trials, DJI donated the drones to AirLift, whose operators have been busy testing them further, even on Mount Ama Dablam in Nepal. During one trial, a pilot managed to transport a hot meal using the drone, which reached Camp 1 in just six minutes—that's a significant time-saver compared to the six hours it would take on foot.
It's worth noting that DJI has previously used the Mavic 3 Pro drone to capture the entire Mount Everest climbing route on camera.
While drones could potentially reduce risks and make the journey safer for sherpas—who could complete fewer trips and utilize geolocation capabilities to map out routes in ever-changing landscapes—there's a catch—these choppers don't come cheap. One DJI drone can set you back more than $70,000. Local enthusiasts are keeping their fingers crossed that this year's Everest climbing season will provide the perfect opportunity to showcase the drones' capabilities and lure in potential investors.
But not everyone is happy about the drone scheme. Trade unions and politicians have voiced their discontent, fearing that technology might rob sherpas of their livelihoods. Ajay Kumar Rai, general secretary of the Nepal Trade Union Congress, told The Telegraph, "The introduction of drones could take away the livelihoods of thousands of Sherpas. For six months, they risk their lives on Everest, and for the rest of the year, they have no work. If drones start replacing them, what will they do?"
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Drones on Mount Everest: Gaining Altitude in Efficiency and Safety
Drones are making their way up the world's tallest mountain to deliver a double whammy—improved safety conditions and smoother logistical operations for climbers. These flying robots are being used to transport essential supplies like rice bags filled with trash from higher camps, thus contributing to better waste management on the mountain[1][4]. Additionally, drones assist in reconnaissance and route mapping, providing climbers with real-time information to navigate safer ascents around narrow weather windows[2].
However, the use of drones isn't without challenges. The financial burden of purchasing these high-tech devices can be prohibitive for some expeditions, potentially limiting access to underfunded teams. Compliance with new safety regulations and the creation of clear regulations for their safe operation can add extra costs[3].
There's also opposition from those who view the use of drones as an unwelcome intrusion in the traditional climbing experience, potentially detracting from the challenge and purity of mountaineering. Additionally, there are ethical concerns regarding their impact on the environment and public skepticism toward their overall impact on the mountain. As drones become more widespread, careful management and regulation will be key to balancing their benefits with respect for the mountain and its communities.
Drone technology has been introduced in sporting events such as mountaineering, specifically on Mount Everest, to enhance safety and efficiency. In sports, the use of drones continues to gain traction, with potential applications in various disciplines.
On the contrary, the integration of drone technology in mountaineering has sparked debates among labor unions and politicians, with concerns raised about the potential impact on traditional climbing jobs and the environment. The question of whether technology can replace human workers in the sports industry remains a contentious issue.
