Protecting the Mountains We Love

Nepal's mountain trails face a growing environmental crisis. The Everest region alone produces an estimated 12,000 kg of human waste and 11,000 kg of garbage annually from tourism. As trekkers who love these mountains, we have a responsibility to minimize our impact.

The Plastic Problem

Single-use water bottles are the biggest source of plastic waste on Nepal's trails. The solution is simple: carry a reusable water bottle and use water purification tablets or a SteriPen. Most teahouses now offer boiled or filtered water for a small fee — this is always preferable to buying plastic bottles.

Pack It In, Pack It Out

Carry a stuff sack for your trash and take it back to town for proper disposal. This includes wrappers, batteries, and personal items. Never leave trash on the trail or burn it in teahouse fires, as burning plastic releases toxic fumes.

Support Local Economies

Choose locally-owned teahouses over international hotel chains, buy handicrafts directly from artisans, and tip your guides and porters fairly. A fair tipping guideline is $10-15/day for guides and $8-10/day for porters.

Stay on Marked Trails

Shortcutting switchbacks causes erosion and damages fragile alpine ecosystems. Stick to established trails, especially above the tree line where vegetation takes decades to recover.