Mail by Runner 134: Drones on Everest

As the 2025 climbing season begins, an exciting new collaboration is taking shape in the Everest region—one that combines cutting-edge drone technology with a respect for Sherpa lives and the mountain environment.

Led by the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee (SPCC), Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality, and Airlift Technology, this initiative is setting a new standard for safety and sustainability on Everest.

“Many Sherpas have lost their lives in the Khumbu Icefall alone. With each expedition requiring around 15 crossings of this dangerous section, the risks are immense,” says Mingma Chiri Sherpa, chairman of Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality.

Following a successful pilot last year—in which drones retrieved over 230 kg of waste from Everest and 640 kg from Amadablam—this season’s operations will expand, helping to transport gear and remove waste from high-altitude camps.

Over 640 kg of waste was collected from Amadablam in 2024 during testing.

The DJI FlyCart drone used for the job.

For the first time, drones will support the icefall doctors by airlifting aluminium ladders and ropes from base camp directly to Camp I (and possibly Camp II). These critical supplies, previously carried by foot across one of the mountain’s most treacherous sections, can now be delivered in just 15 minutes (weather permitting).

“The team in the icefall will share their location, and we’ll be able to send what they need directly from base camp. It’s a safer, faster way to work,” explains Milan Pandey, co-founder of Airlift Technology.

The drone team this season includes eight locally based pilots, including three trained icefall doctors, operating from Everest Base Camp and Camp I.

“Mountaineering is a vital source of livelihood for the Sherpa community,” says Tshering Sherpa, CEO of SPCC. “Our goal is to make this work safer—not to take it away. There’s still plenty that must be carried above Camp I and back down.”

In parallel with the drone work, climbers are now required to carry poop bags and return at least eight kilograms of waste to receive their deposit clearance letter. The new policy targets the highest camps, particularly Camp III and IV, where waste has become increasingly difficult to manage.

Our Perspective

At the Himalayan Trust, we see this as a promising step forward—a community-led innovation that reduces risk, protects the environment, and supports the people of the Khumbu.

It’s a powerful example of what’s possible when technology and tradition work hand in hand—and when Sherpa voices and leadership remain at the heart of the solution.