Drones take on Everest's garbage

A team of drone operators joined climbers and guides at Everest Base Camp this season to remove rubbish using heavy-lift drones. Two DJI FC 30 drones carried 300 kilograms of trash from Camp One at 6,065 meters down to Base Camp during the spring climbing season, which runs from April to early June.

The project was led by Airlift Technology, whose drones were also used to transport emergency oxygen cylinders and route-fixing equipment. The initiative reduced the physical strain on climbers and Sherpas while demonstrating the potential of heavy-lift drone technology for both environmental protection and humanitarian use in high-altitude conditions.