Indian Authorities Confirm Identity of Everest's 'Green Boots' and Launch Recovery Mission

For nearly 30 years, climbers ascending the northern route of Mount Everest passed by the frozen body of a man known as "Green Boots," lying in a small limestone cave about 350 meters from the summit. The man, wearing bright green Koflach boots and full climbing gear, died in a deadly 1996 storm, an event famously chronicled in the book "Into Thin Air." His body served as a grim landmark for mountaineers reporting their progress.

Until now, it was widely believed that the body belonged to Tsewang Paljor, one of three Indian climbers who perished in that storm. However, new Indian government documents, DNA testing, and recent reports have officially identified the remains as those of Dorje Morup, a soldier in the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP). Both Morup and Paljor were part of the same historic expedition attempting to summit from the north side and died on the same tragic day.

Following this confirmation, the Indian government and ITBP issued a tender for a specialized high-altitude recovery team to bring Morup's body home. The operation is extremely dangerous and challenging, as the body lies in the "death zone" at approximately 8,500 meters, where helicopters cannot land and oxygen is scarce. The frozen body with climbing gear can weigh up to 200 kilograms, sometimes requiring rescuers to amputate frozen limbs to facilitate transport.

The mission, estimated to cost around $150,000, demands a team of at least six highly experienced Sherpas who have summited Everest multiple times. While many climbers who die on Everest remain there permanently due to the difficulty of recovery, Morup's family may finally receive closure if the operation, planned to conclude by October, succeeds.