Timeline: Life and Legacy of Green Boots (Tsewang Paljor)
Year | Event |
1996 | Green Boots (Tsewang Paljor) , part of an Indo-Tibetan Border Police expedition, dies during the 1996 Everest disaster. He is believed to be the climber known as "Green Boots" due to his neon-green climbing boots. |
1996 | Paljor's body is found at approximately 8,500 meters on Everest's northeastern ridge, now called the Green Boots Cave. |
2006 | British climber David Sharp dies near Green Boots’ body, sparking ethical debates as several climbers pass without offering help. |
2014 | Green Boots' body reportedly disappears, possibly due to cleanup efforts or being buried under snow and ice. |
Post-2014 | Some climbers claim to have seen Green Boots’ body again, but no official confirmation has been made. |
Significance | Green Boots' resting place became a landmark on the northeast route of Everest, reminding climbers of the extreme risks at high altitude. |
Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world. It is 8,848 meters tall and stands proudly in the Himalayas. Many people from around the world dream of climbing it. But only a few reach the top. Even fewer return safely. The mountain is beautiful but also very dangerous.
At Trek Me Nepal, we help visitors trek to Everest Base Camp (EBC), not the summit. Everest Base Camp is the starting point where climbers prepare to go higher. It’s a magical place full of stories, prayer flags, and amazing views.
One story many people hear when they reach EBC is the sad tale of Green Boots (Tsewang Paljor).
Near the top of Mount Everest is a place known as Rainbow Valley. But it is not a happy or colorful place like its name suggests. It is a silent and tragic area filled with the bodies of climbers who never made it back.
Rainbow Valley got its name from the bright-colored jackets, ropes, and gear of these fallen climbers. The cold and snow preserve their bodies, and the colors remain visible even after many years.
This area is just below the summit, in what is called the Death Zone where there is very little oxygen and temperatures drop dangerously low. Survival here is very difficult.
Who Was Green Boots (Tsewang Paljor)?
One of the most famous bodies on Everest is called Green Boots. His real name was Tsewang Paljor, a young man from Ladakh, India. He worked for the Indo-Tibetan Border Police and was part of a team that tried to climb Everest in 1996.
Tsewang was strong and determined. He wore bright green boots, which made him easy to recognize. That’s how he got the name “Green Boots.”
During their descent from the mountain, a big blizzard hit. Tsewang and his team got trapped. Sadly, Tsewang never returned. His body was found later, lying in a small limestone cave on the northeast ridge of the mountain, around 8,500 meters high.
Since then, many climbers have passed by that cave. The man with green boots became a landmark on the trail.
Where Is Green Boots Found?
Green Boots lies in a rocky cave on the northeast side of Everest, near the top. He rests in a quiet spot just off the path used by climbers who are heading to the summit from the Tibet side.
This place became known as the Green Boots Cave. But if you're trekking with Trek Me Nepal, don't worry. We do not go that high. Our treks only go as far as Everest Base Camp (5,364 meters). We do not lead summit climbs.
We only share this story because it’s part of Everest’s history and teaches us about the risks involved in climbing higher.
The Sad Story of David Sharp
In 2006, another tragedy happened near the Green Boots Cave. A British climber named David Sharp tried to climb Everest alone. He stopped to rest near where Green Boots was lying and never moved again.
Dozens of climbers walked past him while he was still alive. Some thought he was already dead. Others were too tired to help. Sadly, David died there.This story shocked the world. People started asking,
“Should climbers help each other, even if it means they don’t reach the top?”
It became a big question about ethics and responsibility in mountaineering.
Why Green Boots Is So Well Known?
Green Boots is one of the most famous dead bodies on Mount Everest. His green boots made him easy to recognize, and his body was right along the path to the summit. For many years, he became a checkpoint for climbers, a sign of how dangerous Everest can be.
Some people took photos with him, while others said it was not respectful. Either way, he became a symbol of the mountain’s dangers.
At Trek Me Nepal, we believe his story is important. It reminds us that the mountain is powerful, and we must always respect it.
What Is the Death Zone?
The Death Zone is the area above 8,000 meters. In this zone, the weather is extreme, the air has very little oxygen, and the cold is extreme. The human body cannot survive here for long, even with oxygen masks.
Most of the deaths on Everest happen in this area including the tragic stories of Green Boots and David Sharp.
But again, if you’re trekking with us to Everest Base Camp, you will never enter the Death Zone. EBC is far below that level and is safe for trekkers with proper gear and guides.
Our Promise at Trek Me Nepal
At Trek Me Nepal, we only offer Everest Base Camp treks, not summit climbs. We care deeply about your safety, comfort, and experience. When you trek with us, you are in good hands.
We believe the story of Green Boots is important not to scare people, but to teach respect for the mountains. Nature is powerful. The weather can change fast. And every mountain has stories some happy, some sad.
When you walk to EBC, you follow the footsteps of great climbers. Let their stories guide your heart and keep your steps steady.
Join a Safe Trek to Everest Base Camp with Trek Me Nepal
We don’t take you to the top of Everest.
We take you on a safe, beautiful journey to Everest Base Camp full of adventure, culture, and stories . With our experienced and expert guides your EBC Trek will be safe and memorable.
Contact Trek Me Nepal today and start planning your EBC adventure.
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