Weigh and Pay – Cleaning up Mount Everest
Sherpas participate in Eco Everest's weigh and pay program. They get 100 rupees for every kilogram of trash taken off Mount Everest. On the first day, over 218 kilograms of trash was removed from the mountain. Everest Base Camp, Nepal. April 16, 2010.
By Marshall Thompson
The Eco Everest Expedition is holding its annual weigh and pay program at Everest Base Camp in an effort to keep the tallest mountain in the world free from trash. At the end of each day, everyone brings in all the trash they could find and weigh it. On the spot they get paid 100 rupees per kilogram (That’s about a $1.40 for every 2.2 pounds for you Yankees). Traditionally it’s been a big hit with the Sherpas, but this year even the foreign climbers are getting involved. Arjun, a member of our expedition who is poised at 16 years old to be the youngest Indian to climb Mount Everest, turned in 5 kilos yesterday and earned enough money to get his laundry done. The total haul from yesterday was 218 kilograms. The goal this year is to get 7,000 kilograms. It would be a massive clean-up effort where everybody wins. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got some trash to collect.
Great effort by all!!!…must respect nature….keep up the good work. Arjun – “respect nature and it will respect you!!!!Cheers”
Amma, Papa, and Didi.
Way to go!!!Superb idea! Will make the view from the top even more beautiful…Cheers Arjun!!!