A study reveals human urine from climbers is melting over 150 tons of ice on Mount Everest annually, with additional heat from fuel consumption exacerbating the issue, prompting calls for base camp relocation.
Human urine from climbers is accelerating the melting of Mount Everest’s Khumbu Glacier, according to a study published in the Regional Environmental Change journal. The research, led by Nepal’s Survey Department, estimates that urine alone contributes to the annual melt of 154 tons of ice, with combined heat from fuel use and human waste pushing the total to 2,492 tons—a volume equivalent to an Olympic swimming pool.
The Urine-Induced Melting Mechanism
The study found that climbers’ urine, discharged directly onto the glacier, transfers heat that melts ice. At 37°C—human body temperature—the urine’s thermal energy disrupts the glacier’s frozen structure. Urine, with a temperature of around 37°C (human body temperature), causes the ice to melt,
the researchers wrote, noting that the Khumbu Glacier’s base camp, located at 17,958 feet, sees 2,000 climbers annually. Each person produces an average of 3.181 liters of urine daily, totaling 338,299 liters over a 50-day season. This heat, the team explained, could contribute enough heat to melt 154 tons of ice.
However, the study acknowledged limitations. This estimate is likely to represent an upper bound, as it does not account for heat losses through percolation into debris, runoff, incomplete heat transfer, or other dissipative processes,
the researchers cautioned. Despite this, the findings underscore a growing environmental concern: the cumulative impact of human activity on one of the world’s most fragile ecosystems.
Fuel Use and Human Waste Amplify the Damage
Adding to the problem, the study highlighted the role of fuel consumption at Everest Base Camp. During the 2023 spring season, 1,600 tents required 824 canisters of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), 18,935 liters of kerosene, and 5,130 liters of petrol to power heating, cooking, and electricity. This energy output, combined with urine heat, generated 849,174 megajoules of thermal energy—enough to melt 2,492 tons of ice.
The study also noted that climate change remains the primary driver of glacier melt, but human activity is compounding the crisis. The increasing number of climbers, trekkers and support staff, particularly at the campsite area, has intensified environmental impacts on the Khumbu Glacier,
the team wrote. This includes not only urine and fuel but also the 50 tons of trash—oxygen cylinders, tents, and food packaging—that have earned Everest the nickname the world’s highest garbage dump.
Calls for Base Camp Relocation
To mitigate the damage, the researchers recommended relocating Everest Base Camp from the Khumbu Glacier to an ice-free site. Relocating the base camp to an ice–free site could help to mitigate human–induced glacier melt while fostering more sustainable mountaineering practices,
they argued. Such a move, they claimed, could reduce stress on the Khumbu Icefall, improve expedition safety, and create a more resilient mountain ecosystem.
The proposal aligns with previous efforts to address Everest’s environmental degradation. In 2014, Nepal introduced a $4,000 (£2,964) deposit program requiring climbers to bring down 18 pounds of trash. However, the scheme failed as many climbers bypassed higher camps—where most waste accumulates—by collecting trash from lower elevations. From higher camps, people tend to bring back oxygen bottles only,
said Tshering Sherpa, chief executive officer of the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee, citing the program’s shortcomings.
Broader Implications and Unanswered Questions
The study’s findings highlight a paradox: while climate change is the dominant force behind glacial retreat, human activity on Everest is accelerating the process. Satellite data from 1991 to 2023 showed the base camp area warming at 0.28°C annually—double the rate of the surrounding glacier. The rapid glacier melt in the Hindu–Kush–Himalaya is not only an environmental concern for local communities, but also has global implications, such as contributing to rising sea levels,
the researchers warned.
Yet questions remain. How effective would a base camp relocation be without stricter enforcement of waste policies? Can climbers’ urine and fuel use be entirely eliminated, or will mitigation efforts focus on reducing their impact? The study’s authors emphasized that while urine and fuel contribute to melting, climate change remains the primary cause.
Still, the data underscores a growing tension between tourism and conservation in one of the planet’s most iconic landscapes.
As the debate over Everest’s future unfolds, the study serves as a stark reminder of the unintended consequences of human presence in fragile environments. If implemented, relocation could reduce the stress on the Khumbu Icefall, enhance expedition safety, and contribute to a more resilient mountain ecosystem,
the researchers concluded. Whether that vision becomes reality depends on balancing the allure of the world’s highest peak with the imperative to protect it.
