Key facts
- The body of an Indian climber, known as 'Green Boots', has been on Mount Everest for 30 years.
- Authorities believe the body belongs to Dorje Morup, who died in 1996.
- India is planning a mission to recover the remains.
- The recovery operation is complex, risky, and expensive, requiring specialist climbers.
- The goal is to bring the body back for DNA testing and return it to the family.
The body of an Indian climber, famously known as 'Green Boots' due to his distinctive footwear, has remained a grim landmark on Mount Everest for three decades. Dorje Morup, a member of the Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), died in 1996 during an expedition on the Chinese side of the mountain. His remains have been a stark reminder of the dangers of Everest, lying at an altitude of 8,500 meters.
For years, the identity of 'Green Boots' was uncertain, with many assuming it was Tsewang Paljor, another climber from Morup's expedition who also perished. However, testimony from expedition survivors and analysis of radio contact have led Indian authorities to believe the body is that of Dorje Morup. The ITBP is now planning a difficult and costly recovery mission, aiming to bring Morup's body down from the 'death zone' for DNA confirmation and to provide closure to his family.
Morup's wife, Konchak Yangskit, recalled his promise to return a hero and expressed her enduring hope of his return. The recovery operation faces significant logistical and safety challenges due to the extreme altitude, treacherous terrain on the north side of Everest, and unpredictable weather. Specialist climbers and extensive manpower would be required to safely descend the body, which could weigh several times its normal weight due to ice, to a point where it can be transported by helicopter or yaks. Experts estimate such missions can cost between $40,000 and $80,000, a sum the ITBP is prepared to fund.