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Mount Everest is melting, and pee is part of the problem
Human waste left by thousands of climbers is warming up the ice at Everest's base camp.
A view of the icy, rocky terrain at Mount Everest Base Camp with climbing tents.
By John Doe
Reporting from Nepal 
Aug. 29, 2026, 12:54 p.m. - an hour ago
Mount Everest is changing. The base camp where climbers stay is melting. Scientists have found a strange reason why this is happening faster: human urine.
Thousands of people visit the base camp every year. These climbers and their guides leave behind a lot of waste. A recent study says this waste is causing the ice to get warmer.
When people go to the bathroom on the ice, it acts like a dirty blanket. The waste absorbs heat from the sun. This heat then melts the ice beneath it. It sounds gross, but it is a real problem for the mountain.
As the ice melts, it creates deep cracks and makes the ground unstable. This makes it dangerous for the people who climb there.
For a long time, people thought the trash left on Everest was mostly gear and food wrappers. Now, experts say we need to pay closer attention to how our waste affects the environment.
Climbing groups are now being asked to carry their waste back down the mountain. This is a big job, but it is necessary to keep Everest safe and frozen.
Source: The New York Times
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