An operation is underway to recover the body of Tsewang Paljor, an Indian climber who died on Mount Everest 30 years ago and became known as 'Green Boots' due to his distinctive footwear. The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) is funding the recovery mission, aiming to bring his remains down from the mountain by September.
Paljor, a member of the ITBP, was part of a team that summited Everest on May 10, 1996. He disappeared during the descent and his body was found years later, resting in a shallow cave near the summit on the Chinese side of the mountain. His bright green Koflach boots earned him the grim moniker 'Green Boots,' and his location became a grim landmark for climbers.
The Chinese side of Everest presents significant challenges for recovery operations. The terrain is steeper, and the climbing routes lack the extensive support structures found on the southern Nepalese side. Mountian guides estimate that a recovery effort would require 10 to 12 highly capable climbers to fix ropes to reach the location.
Retrieving the body involves a complex logistical undertaking. The remains, often encased in iced climbing gear, can weigh several times more than an average person and may be frozen in difficult positions, making the descent hazardous. Once lowered to an altitude where helicopters or yaks can reach, the body must still be transported to an airport. Experts estimate that even straightforward body recovery missions can cost between $40,000 and $80,000, a prohibitive sum for most families.
The ITBP hopes to return Paljor's body to India for DNA testing and eventual handover to his family. If confirmed, it will mark the end of a decades-long vigil for his relatives. His wife, Yangskit, and son, Punchok Dorjai, have held onto memories and photographs of Paljor, including a certificate confirming his 1996 summit. For years, the family has carried the grief of his loss, with his body remaining a somber fixture on the world's highest peak.