Human waste left by climbers on Mount Everest has become a problem that is causing pollution and threatening to spread disease on the world's highest peak.
The more than 700 climbers and guides who spend nearly two months on Everest's slopes each climbing season leave large amounts of waste. Climbers need to handle the waste properly so the mountain keeps pure. Last year, the Nepali government made a new rule to persuade climbers to clean up after themselves on the mountain.
Nepali officials now check that each climber leaves the mountain with about 18 pounds of rubbish.
More than 4,000 climbers have reached the 8,850-meter or 29,035-foot peak since 1953, when it was first conquered by New Zealand climber Edmund Hillary and his Sherpa guide Tenzing Norgay. Hundreds of others have died in the attempt, while many have succeeded.
Hundreds of foreign climbers attempt to conquer Everest during Nepal's climbing season, which began this week and runs through May. Last year's season was canceled after 16 local guides were killed in a snowstorm in April.