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Richard: In May we did a podcast about the first men to stand on top of Mount Everest which happened in 1953. But since then there have been many, many people climbing to the top and Mount Everest is less of a beauty spot nowadays.
Jackie: So for this week's podcastsinenglish.com we're talking about the negative side of climbing the world's tallest mountain. Richard, what's gone wrong?
Richard: Well, as I said, many people have climbed Everest, about five and a half thousand have tried and two and a half thousand have reached the very top. The youngest is 13 and the oldest is 80.
Jackie: Wow
Richard: Unfortunately, many of these climbers are only interested in actually getting to the top. So although Everest is such a beautiful place they leave their rubbish behind.
Jackie: They don't take their rubbish home with them?
Richard: No. Mount Everest is now the world's highest rubbish tip.
Jackie: Oh
Richard: It's covered in tonnes of rubbish that the climbers have left behind.
Jackie: So, Richard, what kind of rubbish do you mean?
Richard: Oh, all sorts. Food packets um... there are piles of tuna cans er... empty coca-cola bottles, plastic water bottles. And people even leave behind some equipment, such as tents.
Jackie: I think that's so sad.
Richard: Well, it's better now than in the past but the problem remains. Er... every year they clear the mountain of most of the rubbish and one year 25 tonnes was brought back.
Jackie: Gosh
Richard: In addition, there are no toilets on the mountain.
Jackie: You know, I never thought about that before. No toilets so, of course, what do people do then?
Richard: Well, they can either dig a hole or use a bucket.
Jackie: Mmm, oh right.
Richard: But it's not only rubbish and waste, there are also many frozen bodies left behind.
Jackie: There are dead people on the mountain? No.
Richard: Yes. Some people think there are about 200 dead bodies left on the mountain.
Jackie: 200 dead bodies, really? But why... why do they stay up there?
Richard: Well, as we know, climbing up Mount Everest is very difficult. Coming down the mountain is also difficult. Climbing down the mountain with a dead body is almost impossible and obviously if the weather is bad it simply can't be done.
Jackie: And... and so it can lead to more deaths. But, Richard, so the... because it's cold the bodies don't decompose then?
Richard: Exactly, it's just like being in the freezer; they are perfectly preserved.
Jackie: Mmm, so it's possible to climb Mount Everest and walk over, or walk past, a dead body?
Richard: It is, and in fact many do.
Jackie: Mmm, you know what, Richard, I think I prefer to stay at home and watch a documentary about Everest on the telly.
Richard: Much safer.
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