Located nearly 5 miles above sea level in the Himalayas, the barren, wind-swept depression between Mount Everest and its neighboring summit, Lhotse, remains devoid of snow. At the South Col, hundreds of thrill-seekers set up their final camp annually, preparing to ascend the world's highest mountain
A camp on the South Col, where hundreds of adventurers pitch their final camp each year before attempting to scale the world’s tallest peak from the southeastern side. Photo was taken near the site of where soil samples were collected by Baker Perry. Credit: Baker Perry
The research not only highlights an invisible impact of tourism on the world’s highest mountain, but could also lead to a better understanding of environmental limits to life on Earth, as well as where life may exist on other planets or cold moons. The findings were published last month in, a journal published on behalf of the Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research at CU Boulder.
The researchers weren’t surprised to find microorganisms left by humans. Microbes are everywhere, even in the air, and can easily blow around and land some distance away from nearby camps or trails. Schmidt’s work over the years connected him with researchers who were headed to Everest’s South Col in May of 2019 to set up the planet’s highest weather station, established by the National Geographic andSo Baker Perry, co-author, professor of geography at Appalachian State University, and a National Geographic Explorer, hiked as far away from the South Col camp as possible to scoop up some soil samples to send back to Schmidt.
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