Drones Are Now Delivering Gear On Mount Everest, Revolutionizing Climbing Safety

For the first time in history, drones are helping deliver ladders, oxygen tanks, ropes, and even medical supplies on Mount Everest — and it could change climbing forever. Operated by Milan Pandey of Airlift Technology, these drones can transport critical gear from Everest Base Camp to Camp One in just seven minutes, a journey that traditionally takes Sherpas six hours.

This innovation isn't just about speed. It's about saving lives. Specialist Sherpas, often called "icefall doctors," have long risked their lives setting routes across the dangerous Khumbu Icefall. With drones flying in supplies, they no longer need to make multiple treacherous trips to carry heavy gear. Expedition companies like Imagine Nepal, led by Mingma G Sherpa, are embracing this change after tragic losses in past seasons.

Airlift Nepal, in collaboration with local authorities and tech support from China’s DJI, has already used drones to remove over 1,100 pounds of trash from Camp One. Now, they're preparing to transport gear before the 2025 climbing season peaks — a move that could help prevent delays due to hazardous weather.

But there’s more to the story than gear drops. Drones also aid search and rescue efforts and allow Sherpas to scout safer routes ahead of climbs. Sherpas like Dawa Janzu Sherpa have seen how drones reduce risk, save time, and help climbers stay on schedule. As mountaineering evolves, this mix of tradition and technology may offer a safer, more sustainable path forward — one that honors the legacy of Everest while embracing innovation.

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Source: CNN

Photo Credit: AI