India plans risky mission to retrieve 'Green Boots' body from Everest

India is preparing for a high-risk operation to recover the body of a climber, famously known as "Green Boots," who has remained on Mount Everest for three decades. The body, located just hundreds of meters from the summit, has become a somber landmark for mountaineers.

Authorities now believe the body belongs to Dorje Morup, an experienced climber from India who died during a descent in May 1996. Morup was part of a group attempting to be the first Indian team to summit Everest from the more challenging Tibetan side. A severe snowstorm tragically claimed the lives of three members of his party during their descent, though Morup himself had reached the summit.

For years, the body was mistakenly identified as Tsewang Paljor, another climber from the same expedition. However, revised assessments based on factors like the last known radio signal location and clothing have led officials to identify it as Morup.

The recovery mission, planned for autumn, is expected to be costly and extremely difficult. The body lies within Everest's "death zone," where temperatures can plummet to minus 40 degrees Celsius and oxygen levels are critically low. The location on the Tibetan side further complicates retrieval, as helicopter rescues are not possible, unlike on the Nepalese side.

Specialized teams of experienced climbers will be required to handle the frozen body and navigate the treacherous terrain. Morup's family has expressed a desire for his remains to return home, and if recovered, his identity will be confirmed by DNA testing before a burial. His family also plans to keep the iconic green boots.

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The family plans to keep the famous green boots.