It’s Not Just Tourists... Sherpas are dying on Mount Everest.
As Mount Everest gains popularity, more climbers, and even sherpas, succumb to the beast.
Rainbow Valley
The death zone on Mount Everest begins just below the summit, at a staggering 8000 meters of elevation and above. Oxygen levels decline drastically compared to levels at sea level, and most of the deaths that occur on the mountain will happen here. 200 trekkers have lost their lives in this deadly window, and ascending along the trail leading to the summit leaves little room for error, as a narrow strip leads travelers to the peak. At around 8500 meters, hikers encounter this Rainbow Valley on the mountain's northern side, a sea of frozen bodies magnified by their brightly colored jackets. What sounds quite peaceful, actually represents a horrifying reality: These Neon coats and bright jackets clothe the deceased that lay frozen in time. Several bodies have been moved out of view out of respect to their families for a hefty fee, but a few remain in plain sight. The bodies have been preserved by the extremely cold temperatures, which can reach -35 degrees Fahrenheit. These extreme temperatures, together with unpredictable avalanches, bone-chilling storms, and hazardous conditions make for one of the deadliest hikes on the planet.
