30 years on Everest: The mystery of the 'green boots' solved

The mystery of the identity of the climber whose green boots became a symbol on Everest has been solved after about 30 years. He is an Indian citizen named Morup, who set out to conquer the peak in 1996 and perished. India is now working to recover his remains in a complex rescue operation involving experienced Sherpas and Chinese permits.

The mystery of the identity of the climber whose green boots became a chilling landmark on Everest has been solved after about 30 years. He is an Indian citizen named Morup, who set out to conquer the world's highest peak in 1996 and never returned. His body remained at an altitude of about 8,500 meters, in an area known as the "death zone," where oxygen levels are too low to allow prolonged stay without assistance. For years, the body, visible alongside distinctive green climbing boots, served as a landmark for climbers making their way to the summit via the northeast ridge on the Tibetan side of Everest. India is now working to recover his remains. The Border Police has published a tender to hire a body specializing in high-altitude rescue, which will need to send at least six experienced Sherpas. The operation requires permits from Chinese authorities, as the body is on the Tibetan side, as well as coordination to transfer the remains through Nepal back to India. Recovering a body from such an altitude is considered particularly dangerous due to extreme cold, lack of oxygen, avalanches, and unstable snow.