Maybe Mount Everest’s “poo problem” will get that big you’ll rather visit some of the world’s tallest peaks virtually than actually leaving on a Sabbatical year and trying to reach the top. And here’s where Google Street View comes in, since they just ended documenting this rare sight. Now, those who prefer the warmth of their beds can take the famous expedition virtually.
First of all, let us set one thing straight. Climbing Mount Everest takes from six to nine weeks. The people who decide to do it have to relieve themselves somewhere, which is why there’s a lot of that buried in snow piled near the trail. Problem is that, according to Nepal’s mountaineering association's recent statement, over the years, so much poop has accumulated that it’s causing pollution and threatening to spread disease. Things could get a lot worse with the snow melting due to climate change.
In other words, maybe it’s about time people would find a sustainable way to visit the renown trails, to protect it from being destroyed by greedy local tourist companies that are trying to get as many people as possible to the top. Just a thought.
Maybe it’s a coincidence, maybe it’s not, but Google Street View comes in with a perfect timing showing to the world what the stake really is.
It appears Google teamed up with Apa Sherpa, the man who holds a world record for reaching the Everest summit 21 times, the climber’s foundation and Nepalese nonprofit Story Cycle. Together they documented the location during a 10-day trek and now unique images with monasteries, schools, hairy yaks dotted along the areas’s dusty roads and other specific details can be visited online.
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