The Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee has dispatched a team of icefall doctors to the Khumbu Icefall to undertake the critical task of constructing and maintaining the route for climbers. With the commencement of the 2025 spring climbing season, the team set off from Namche and is making its way toward Everest Base Camp. The icefall doctors are responsible for ensuring the safety of climbers by securing the most hazardous section of the Everest climbing route, the Khumbu Icefall.
The team will remain stationed in the Khumbu Icefall for the next three months, focused on constructing a safe and reliable path for the mountaineers. This year, the Icefall Doctor team consists of eight experienced members, with the addition of Chiring Tenzing Sherpa, the Base Camp Manager, playing a key role in overseeing operations. The team is led by two experienced leaders: Ang Serki Sherpa (Team-A) and Dawa Jangbu Sherpa (Team-B), with other team members including Da Nuru Sherpa, Nima Tenzing Sherpa, Mingma Gyaljen Sherpa, Dawa Chiri Sherpa, Lakpa Sona Sherpa, and Tendu Sherpa. Additionally, kitchen staff Wange Gelbu Sherpa and Ngwang Thaten Sherpa will assist the team by providing logistical support and helping with other duties.
The Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee, which was founded in 1993 by the local Sherpa community, is a non-governmental organization dedicated to preserving the environment in the Khumbu region. The committee has played a pivotal role in waste management and environmental conservation within the Sagarmatha National Park and its buffer zone, areas that fall under the jurisdiction of Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality. Over the years, the committee has made significant efforts to reduce pollution and maintain the natural beauty of the Everest region, which is one of the most visited areas for trekking and mountaineering.
In addition to waste management, the committee is also involved in the monitoring of climbing permits and illegal climbing activities, ensuring that all mountaineering activities comply with environmental and safety regulations. Furthermore, the committee plays a significant role in the overall management and conservation of the Everest Base Camp area, making sure that both climbers and trekkers adhere to proper environmental guidelines.
Since 1997, the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation has entrusted the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee with the responsibility of building and maintaining the Khumbu Icefall climbing route. This section of the route, extending from Everest Base Camp to the higher camps, is considered one of the most dangerous parts of the climb due to the frequent avalanches, deep crevasses, and unstable ice formations. To mitigate these risks, the icefall doctors work tirelessly to set up ladders and ropes, creating a secure pathway for climbers to traverse the challenging icefall safely.
Each year, the committee deploys specially trained icefall doctors to ensure the safe passage of climbers through this perilous section. This year, the committee has provided the icefall doctors with the necessary equipment and clothing, ensuring they are adequately prepared for the harsh conditions. Special thanks have been given to Black Yak, a company that has supported the committee by supplying these essential materials. The committee’s efforts continue to make significant contributions to the safety and success of mountaineers attempting to summit Mount Everest, while simultaneously preserving the environment of the Everest region for future generations.
