India eyes a risky Everest mission to recover the body of "Green Boots"

A veteran Mount Everest climber has voiced strong reservations about India's potential mission to recover the body of "Green Boots," a climber whose remains have become a grim landmark on the world's highest peak. The climber, who spoke to CBS News, described the recovery as a "perilous mission."

"Green Boots" is believed to be Tsewang Paljor, an Indian climber who died during a blizzard on Everest in 1996. His body, clad in green climbing boots, lay near a cave at an altitude of about 8,500 meters (27,887 feet) for decades, becoming a notorious waypoint for other climbers. Several expeditions have previously attempted to move or retrieve the body, but the extreme conditions and high altitude made these efforts too dangerous.

The potential mission raises questions about the ethics and practicality of recovering bodies from Everest. While some argue that retrieving remains offers closure to families, others emphasize the extreme risks involved for rescue teams. The decision to proceed with such a mission would weigh the emotional needs of the family against the significant dangers posed by the treacherous Everest environment.

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retrieving "Green Boots"... would be a perilous mission.