Kathmandu [Nepal], August 8 – Indian authorities are preparing to recover the body known as “Green Boots” which has remained frozen near the summit of Mount Everest for nearly three decades, believing it may belong to an Indian-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) climber who died during the 1996 disaster.
The ITBP is searching for an experienced high-altitude rescue and Sherpa team to retrieve the body by September and bring it to India for DNA testing. Officials believe the remains are those of ITBP climber Dorje Morup who died alongside Tsewang Smanla and Tsewang Paljor after reaching Everest’s 8,849 metre summit during the 1996 climbing season.
The body partially buried in snow beneath a rock at around 8,500 metres became known worldwide as “Green Boots” because of the climber’s distinctive green mountaineering boots. For years, it was widely believed to be the body of Tsewang Paljor.
However, Indian authorities have since concluded the remains are more likely those of Morup based on testimony from surviving expedition members, the team’s final radio communications, the body’s location and the climber’s clothing and equipment, according to the BBC.
Recovering bodies from Everest is among mountaineering’s most dangerous operations often costing between $40,000 and $80,000. If the remains are confirmed through DNA testing they will be returned to Morup’s family for final rites after nearly 30 years.
