Climbers in Nepal are being urged to help remove rubbish from a Mount Everest camp abandoned two years ago when a massive earthquake triggered avalanches that killed 19 people.

Ten huge canvas bags which can hold 80kg (176lbs) of rubbish will be placed at the ruined Camp Two site, with helicopters being used to winch them down to the Base Camp.

Sherpa guides will also be paid $2 (£1.60) per kilo of rubbish they bring back from higher up the mountain.

Tourism Department official Durga Dutta Dhakal said: "This way we hope to bring down the trash without any extra cost, using helicopters that return empty after dumping climbing ropes at the high camp."

Mountaineers have removed more than 16 tonnes of rubbish from Everest in the past, but there are no estimates of how much still litters the mountain.


Camp Two - located 6,400 metres (21,000ft) above sea level and above the treacherous Khumbu Icefall - is a major camping site for climbers attempting to scale Everest and Mount Lhotse - the world's fourth highest peak.

Image: Sherpas currently have to haul recovered rubbish through the dangerous Khumbu icefall

More than 600 people climbed Mount Everest last year from the Nepal and China sides.

Officials expect that number to increase this season as many mountaineers whose $11,000 permits were given two-year extensions following the 2015 earthquake are expected to return.

Climbers usually arrive in April and make their attempts at the summit in May, when weather conditions are favourable.

The 2014 season was cancelled after 16 Sherpas were killed in an avalanche.

The following year, a magnitude 7.8 quake triggered avalanches that swept the base camp, killing 19 people.

Russell Brice, a veteran guide, said tents and supplies left behind after those avalanches must be removed.