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Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (drones) assume dominance in goods transport on Mount Everest.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), or drones, have assumed the operational control of cargo transportation at Mount Everest.

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Security reinforcement at Mount Everest will be facilitated through the deployment of drones....
Security reinforcement at Mount Everest will be facilitated through the deployment of drones. [Photograph included].
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Drones carry out goods transportation at Mount Everest peak - Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (drones) assume dominance in goods transport on Mount Everest.

Witnessing a revolution, Mount Everest is no longer trudged up on foot, as drones have set camp in the Himalayas. Unmanned aircraft, once reserved for remote filming and glacier exploration, are now carrying Essentials like ladders, tents, oxygen bottles, and ropes, thanks to Airlift Technology's drones in the Nepalese capital of Kathmandu. This new mode of transport is making Everest safer, cleaner, and easier, revolutionizing the experience for the hundreds of climbers that attempt its summit each year.

"Our drones take seven hours' work and makes it seven minutes," says Raj Bikram Maharjan, CEO of Airlift Technology, beaming with pride. These drones operate between the Everest base camp and Camp 1, navigating the 6,000-meter zone. The Sherpa teams that aid climbers on their arduous route to the summit benefit from this drone support.

Safety First

The Khumbu Icefall, a deadly passage filled with ice towers and crevasses above the base camp, is less frequently trodden by climbers thanks to drones. Drones have significantly reduced the number of trips climbers must take through this hazardous zone, making ascents considerably safer.

Introduced through a partnership between the Khumbu Pasang Lhamu municipality and Chinese manufacturer DJI, the drones initially began as a waste disposal solution. Following a successful trial phase in early 2024, the drones were handed over to Airlift for further use.

Supported Operations

The municipality of Khumbu Pasang Lhamu and the Sagarmatha Environmental Protection Committee continue to support drone operations, ensuring maintained routes, waste removal, and drone safety protocols. Close to Everest, Ama Dablam - a 6,812-meter mountain - has also benefited from drone transportation.

Prone to technical difficulties, drones can only carry 40 kilograms for nine minutes on a single battery charge or 30 kilograms for 18 minutes with two batteries. Yet, as the technology advances, it's becoming more widespread on Everest.

Last year, drones hauled oxygen bottles to Camp 1 and returned with waste, proving their efficiency. This year, they were also employed to visually map the Khumbu Icefall and find new, safer routes. "We can now create a 3D mapping to detect crevasses and measure their depth," explains Maharjan.

An Older Way Gives Way

Traditional methods of transport, such as human porters, donkeys at lower altitudes, and yaks up to the base camp, have long served mountaineers navigating through the challenging terrain of the Himalayas. With the advent of drone technology, these time-honored means of transport are gradually being replaced.

Expedition organizers welcome this change, which could potentially save lives by reducing the dangers associated with human labor in the treacherous Khumbu Icefall. Professional mountain climber Jost Kobusch prefers drones to helicopters, which he finds too noisy in the congested Everest region.

The Future of Mount Everest

Financial barriers undercut widespread adoption, with each drone costing approximately 50,000 dollars. However, despite these constraints, Maharjan is optimistic about a bright future for drones on the world's highest mountain. A drone boom is on the horizon for Mount Everest and the rest of the Himalaya.

  1. Source 1: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/2/24/moving-in-everest-drones-join-the-race-to-conquer-high-altitude
  2. Source 2: https://www.livescience.com/mount-everest-drones-cargo-transport
  3. Source 3: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/news/2022/8/drones-help-everest-clean-up-operation/
  4. Source 4: https://theconversation.com/the-everest-drone-project-tackling-waste-on-the-worlds-highest-mountain-169637

The Commission, in light of the advancements in drone technology at Mount Everest, could consider submitting a proposal for a directive on the approximation of the laws of the Member States regarding the use of drones for cargo transportation in challenging terrains. As technology continues to evolve, it may also become relevant to explore the potential integration of drones in gadget technology, particularly for sports gear and equipment, to enhance safety and efficiency in climbing expeditions.

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