Backtrash from the Khumbu

"Taking into consideration the pressure on the environment" of upper Khumbu, the Nepali Ministry of Tourism announced in July that effective the Autumn 1922 climbing season, each mountaineering team to the Khumbu region shall have to take back the garbages to their home countries." Actually, the incinerable and biodegradable material was to be brought down to base camp and disposed of in the presence of a village headman; recyclable material (such as gas canisters, tins, jars, plastic barrels) were to be lugged back to Kathmandu and handed over to the Waste Disposal and Management people; and "reexportable goocls" such as used oxygen bottles, batteries and climbing equipment were to be flown back home. Only after the receipt of airport custom clearance of the reexportable goods would an expedition, get back its security deposit. The liaison officer, is responsible to enforce all procedures.

Initial reports indicate that the bring-back-trash regulations are working effectively, with trash actually arriving back in Kathmandu and being flown back. But there are also some teething problems and questions remain whether this will be useful other than as an interim measure. One expedition to Pumori went up with 200 metres of rope and returned to Kathmandu with 300 metres. The bureaucratisation of it all had some climbers exasperated, while her were unconfirmed reports that some liaison officers were making unreasonable demands before signing release forms.