DNA analysis has identified the frozen climber known as Green Boots
as Lance Naik Dorje Morup, an Indian soldier with the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP). After nearly 30 years on Mount Everest, the Indian government is now planning a high-risk recovery mission to bring his remains home by October 2026.
For nearly three decades, climbers traversing the deadly death zone of Mount Everest encountered a frozen body tucked inside a small cave. Identified only by his footwear, the climber became a haunting landmark for those attempting the summit. Recent DNA evidence has finally solved the mystery, confirming the remains belong to Dorje Morup.
The 1996 Blizzard and the Identity of Dorje Morup
Morup was part of an ITBP expedition attempting India’s first ascent of Mount Everest from the northern route through Tibet. On May 10, 1996, a devastating blizzard struck the mountain. Morup and two fellow climbers continued their push toward the summit but never returned.
For years, a different theory prevailed among the climbing community. Many believed the body belonged to fellow climber Tsewang Paljor, based on reports that Paljor wore distinctive lime-green boots. However, fresh DNA analysis has corrected this long-held assumption, restoring Morup’s name to the record.
Logistical Hurdles of the Recovery Mission
Retrieving a body from over 8,000 meters is an exceptionally dangerous undertaking. The Chinese side of the peak, where Morup’s body lies, is steeper and lacks the support structures found on the southern slope. This geography creates a massive physical and logistical barrier for any rescue team.
Pemba Ongchu Sherpa, mountaineering guide stated that it is very difficult to bring the body down even during the popular spring season, and even more so in the autumn when weather is more unpredictable.
The mission requires significant manpower just to establish a path. According to Pemba Ongchu Sherpa, 10 to 12 summit-capable climbers would be needed simply to fix the support ropes required to reach the body’s location.
The Physical Risks of High-Altitude Retrieval
Once the body is reached, the descent presents its own set of hazards. Sherpas note that bodies encased in iced-up gear often weigh several times more than an average man and are frequently frozen in awkward positions, making transport across treacherous terrain even more difficult.
Indian climber Kuntal Joisher highlighted the extreme nature of the initial descent, noting that the first 1,000 meters would be a humungous challenge
due to the extremely steep, rocky ground.
Kuntal Joisher, Indian climber explained that the mission would be a very risky endeavour because the ground is extremely steep with a lot of rock, making the first 1,000 meters a humungous logistical challenge.
Beyond the physical exertion, there is a moral calculation regarding the safety of the recovery team. Joisher emphasized that Sherpa lives should not be put at risk for the sake of recovering a dead body.
Funding and the Cost of Recovery
Recovery operations on Everest are prohibitively expensive for most families.
Because of these costs, it is more common for local teams to simply move bodies out of sight. One such instance occurred in 2007, when the remains of explorer Francys Arsentiev—known as the Sleeping Beauty of Everest
—were moved to a more private resting place nearly a decade after her death.
In this case, the ITBP is funding the operation. The organization is currently seeking specialized Sherpa groups capable of executing the retrieval and transporting the remains to an altitude where they can be collected by yaks or helicopters.
Timeline for the Return to Delhi
The Indian government has proposed a specific timeline for the operation. A specialized team of Sherpas will attempt to retrieve the body and transport the remains to Delhi by October 2026.
The ITBP has expressed a desire to have the body returned by September. Once the remains reach India, they will undergo final DNA testing to confirm the identity of the soldier before the remains are handed over to his family.
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