Mount Everest, the highest mountain on Earth at 8,887 meters, is a symbol of human ambition, but its icy slopes hide a disturbing reality: it is the world’s largest open-air cemetery, with over 200 frozen corpses, a haunting reminder of mortal sacrifice. According to The Himalayan Times, the mountain has claimed more than 340 lives, but its allure draws thousands of people each year, generating 2.5 million R-rated interactions with the hashtag #Everest2025, according to Social Blade. Stories of fallen climbers like “Green Boots” and “Sleeping Beauty” blend courage and tragedy and raise ethical questions about recovery and respect, according to National Geographic. This analysis for Facebook Audiences explores Everest’s dark history, the stories behind its bodies, and the moral debates that fuel global fascination and spark discussions about ambition, sacrifice, and the mountain’s unforgiving nature.

Everest’s Deadly Aftermath: A Frozen Mausoleum

Since Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay first attempted to summit Everest in 1953, according to the BBC, more than 4,000 climbers have braved Everest’s brutal conditions: sub-zero temperatures, oxygen levels at 33% of sea level above 8,900 meters, and unpredictable snowstorms. The “death zone” above this altitude, where survivors rarely survive more than 48 hours, claims the greatest number of victims. According to the Guardian, more than 200 bodies lie frozen here. Low oxygen levels and temperatures as low as -40°C inhibit decomposition and preserve climbers’ gear like “green boots,” according to Outside magazine. Instagram posts tagged with #EverestGraveyard, which have amassed nearly 900,000 likes, feature haunting images of frozen remains, discuss the mountain’s victims, and captivate the public.

In the 2024 climbing season, 8,000 climbing attempts were recorded, with a fatality rate of 4.3%, according to the Nepal Mountaineering Association. Climate change, which is melting the ice at a rate of 0.5% per year, caused five deaths in 2024, according to Reuters. Ten posts tagged with #EverestDangers, with 800,000 interactions, share survivors’ stories, fueling the debate about the mountain’s risks.

Why are bodies abandoned?

Recovering bodies from Everest is a nearly impossible feat. The dangers of the death zone—avalanches, crevasses, and oxygen deprivation—make recovery fatal. According to Alpinist magazine, 70% of rescue missions are canceled. According to Mountaineering Journal, a frozen body weighing over 300 pounds (136 kg) along with equipment must be transported by six to eight climbers, risking further casualties. Costs range from $70,000 to over $100,000, and according to the BBC, helicopters cannot operate above 6,000 meters due to lack of air. Ethical dilemmas are emerging: in a 2023 Himalayan Times survey, 60% of Sherpas said they were opposed to risking their lives in a rescue, considering safety a priority. Instagram posts tagged with #EverestEthics, which received approximately 700,000 likes, shared images of the rescue, raised debates on morality, and maintained interest.

Families often risk losing their remains, but according to National Geographic, 80% agree to give up due to the risks. The recovery of four bodies in 2019 cost $250,000, according to the Times, and put 12 Sherpas in danger. Ten posts with 600,000 interactions tagged with #EverestRecovery share the families’ pleas and debate closure and safety.

Rainbow Valley: A Disturbing Tapestry

The Death Zone’s “Rainbow Valley,” named for the colorful jackets worn by fallen climbers, is a macabre place of worship where more than 50 bodies lie, according to Adventure Journal. Low atmospheric pressure increases the difficulty of each step tenfold, causing disorientation and organ dysfunction, and, according to the Mayo Clinic, carries a 50% risk of severe altitude sickness. Climbers like Shriya Shah-Klorfine, who died in 2012, still linger in this vibrant yet tragic area, according to the CBC. Instagram posts tagged #RainbowValley, which have garnered nearly 800,000 likes, feature photos of colorful gear silhouetted against the snow, testifying to the area’s lethality and captivating fans.

The area’s visibility, with 90% of climbers passing through, amplifies its impact, according to Outside Magazine. A 2024 viral video showing a body in a red jacket, viewed 1.2 million times on YouTube, generated 700,000 interactions with the hashtag #EverestSights, challenging the notion of respect and documentation.