Everyone knows Mount Everest. It is the tallest mountain in the world, standing at a whopping 29,029 feet. We are told of its beauty and majesty, and for any passionate hiker, climbing Everest is the dream.

But many that climb Everest don’t live to tell the tale. Around 280 people have died while attempting to climb Everest. And, due to the harsh conditions, those bodies are left exactly where the hikers perished. Even if a hiker passes another hiker close to death, it is impossible to attempt to save another without losing your own life in the process.

The bodies of deceased hikers remain scattered along the trails of Everest. Instead of attempting to ignore the bodies, hikers have developed a way to use the bodies as landmarks to help them on their treacherous journey.

WARNING! The following images are graphic and not for the faint hearted: