Rainbow Valley Everest

The name “Rainbow Valley” suggests a bright and colorful valley to readers. Well, it is true about the colors, but the image it gives is quite the opposite of what it stands for. The Rainbow Valley Everest is a hauntingly beautiful part of Mount Everest, offering a unique sight for climbers on their way to the summit. While attempting to summit the world’s tallest mountain, not everyone makes it back alive. Many lose their lives in the process of summiting Everest, not listening to their body’s limitations and pushing past in the extreme conditions.

Located near the summit of Mount Everest, Rainbow Valley is a tragic part of the mountain, representing the harshness of the world’s tallest peak. The Rainbow Valley Everest’s name gives off an inviting outlook to the reality, that is it’s one of the most haunted parts of Everest. The Rainbow Valley falls within the Death Zone at an altitude above 8,000 meters. Here, oxygen levels are critically low, and prolonged exposure at this altitude makes the chances of survival lower. Many climbers give in to the extreme conditions at the death zone and tragically pass away.

The Rainbow Valley Everest is filled with brightly colored mountaineering gear such as contrasting colored jackets, trekking boots, and tents used by fallen climbers, standing out sharply against the white snow. Climbers often fall victim to Summit Fever and eventually become one of the contrasting colors in the Rainbow Valley, adding to its colorful and haunting history.

Rainbow Valley Everest serves as a haunting reminder for all the climbers on their way to the summit about how quickly one can become one of those bright colors lying in the cold snow if necessary precautions are not followed. This blog will cover all the necessary information regarding the infamous Rainbow Valley and some of the famous Mount Everest Bodies lying on the Rainbow Valley.

What are the Main Causes of Piling Dead Bodies in Rainbow Valley Everest?

First and foremost, the valley wouldn’t get its name without the numerous bodies still lying on Everest. The Rainbow Valley Everest is infamous for the piling of the fallen climbers’ bodies and their colorful mountaineering outfits and gear quite visible, contrasting in the white snow for other climbers. So, what is the main cause of the piling dead bodies in the Rainbow Valley?

The leading cause of the piling of dead bodies in Rainbow Valley Everest is the extreme difficulty in recovering those bodies in the Death Zone (above 8,000 m) due to the harsh weather conditions and critically low oxygen levels.

• Lack of Oxygen or Hypoxia: The major cause for piling of bodies in the Rainbow Valley is climbers suffering from lack of oxygen (Hypoxia). The oxygen levels in the death zone are critically low, and surviving without supplemental oxygen is almost an impossible task. Climbers suffer from lack of oxygen, leading to hallucinations and confusion. Many climbers collapse due to exhaustion and never get back up, making it impossible to rescue themselves or other fallen climbers in the Rainbow Valley Everest.
• Extreme Cold Temperatures and Frostbite: As the Rainbow Valley Everest lies within the death zone (above 8,000 m) altitude, temperatures can drop to below -40°C, causing extreme cold and severe frostbite. Many climbers simply freeze to death if they are exposed for too long at the death zone, and those frozen bodies become solid as ice. As the bodies become frozen solid, it becomes nearly impossible to move them in the extreme cold, contributing to the colors of the Rainbow Valley Everest.
• Unpredictable Weather and Avalanches: The weather at the Rainbow Valley (within the death zone) is very unpredictable and can change dramatically over a very short time. Extreme winds, sudden snow storms, and avalanches can sweep climbers off the trail, leaving them deserted from the group and trapped in the cold, making it impossible for any rescue operation.
• High Risk and Costly Recovery Operations: It is human nature to seek one’s safety first during a crisis. Climbers often do not help other fallen climbers to not risk their own lives in such harsh conditions. Recovering the bodies on the Rainbow Valley Everest can cost extremely high, ranging from anywhere between $30,000 to $100,000 or more, making it impossible for families to afford the rescue operation.
• High Climbing Traffic on Mount Everest: Mount Everest, being the world’s tallest mountain, sees tons of climbers attempting the summit every season. Due to the high number of climbers on Everest, naturally, more deaths occur there. This adds to the piling Rainbow Valley Everest bodies.

Why is Mount Everest called Rainbow Mountain?

You may have heard people referring to Mount Everest as the “Rainbow Mountain”. There are several reasons why people claim Everest is a Rainbow Mountain. The most significant of those reasons is the Rainbow Valley Everest. The Rainbow Valley’s bright red, blue, green, and yellow colors of fallen climber’s jackets, boots, and gear create a sharp contrast against the white snow and ice, giving the valley a “Rainbow” effect and colorful appearance.

The Rinbow Valley Everest deaths have contributed significantly in giving the mountain its Rainbow name among climbers. While the mountain itself is not considered as the Rainbow Mountain, its infamous section, the Rainbow Valley, describes the bright rainbow-like features of the fallen climbers’ tragic fate lying in the white snow.

Mount Everest is also surrounded by tons of prayer flags, particularly Tibetan Buddhist prayer flags. These flags are often bright blue, green, red, and yellow in color and are seen at the Everest Base Camp and other high camps along the summit, which contributes to the colorful appearance of the mountain.

What are some of the Popular Bodies in Rainbow Valley?

There are tons of bodies on the Rainbow Valley Everest, and each has their sacrifices and unique stories that need to be told across the world. Their bravery, resilience, and courage have to be acknowledged and these bodies serve as a grave reminder about the dangers of Mount Everest and how unforgiving it is.

Some of the most popular bodies in Rainbow Valley Everest include:

Green Boots – Everest’s Most Famous Body

The body of Green Boots is considered the most famous body on Everest. The body of Green Boots, according to popular theories, belongs to Tsewang Paljor. Tsewang Paljor was an Indian member of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police Expedition (ITBP) who tragically passed away as part of the 1996 Mount Everest Disaster.

On May 10, 1996, Tsewang Paljor (Green Boots) was part of a three-man summit team from the ITBP, attempting to become the first Indian team to summit Everest from the North (Tibet) side. During their summit attempt, a deadly blizzard struck the mountain, and Paljor, along with his team, went missing near the summit. Tsewang Paljor was reportedly last seen alive taking shelter in a small cave just below the summit before finally succumbing to the harsh cold weather and lack of oxygen.

Paljor’s body was discovered in a fetal position, wearing bright green boots. His body remained over there for many years, and climbers summiting from the North side often could see his green boots contrasting in the white snow, thus giving him the popular nickname. Green Boot’s body became a famous landmark among the climbers in Everest.

David Sharp – The Man Who Died Alone

David Sharp was a British climber attempting to summit Mount Everest solo without a guide. In 2006, what is believed to be his second expedition on Mount Everest proved to be his last. Although there is no concrete evidence whether Sharp made it to the summit or not, it is believed David Sharp either made it to the summit or made it back dangerously late.

Sharp collapsed in the same cave as Green Boots, near the Everest summit. He passed away with his arms clasped around his legs, as if he was warming himself. Over 40 climbers passed by him as he sat there, still alive but barely conscious. The passing climbers mistook Sharp’s body with Green Boot’s, leaving him to die all alone.

David Sharp’s tragic death sparked big controversies regarding whether climbers should risk their own lives to save other struggling climbers. His body still remains in the Rainbow Valley Everest, signifying his horror and tragic event.

Francys Arsentiev – Everest Sleeping Beauty

The story of Francys Arsentiev (Everest Sleeping Beauty) is a mix of tragedy, love, determination, and bravery. Among the Rainbow Valley Everest Bodies, the Everest Sleeping Beauty’s body is one of the most famous figures in the mountain. Francys Arsentiev was an AMerican woman attempting to become the first US woman to summit Everest without supplemental oxygen in 1998.

While Francys successfully summited the world’s tallest peak without supplemental oxygen, she didn’t make it back alive. Francys and her husband Sergei had summited Everest dangerously late in the day, making their return journey quite risky.

On their descent, due to the extreme weather and darkness, Francys and her husband got separated in the dark. Some climbers met Francys on their way to the summit the next day but were unable to help her because of her poor condition and the difficult location.

Sergei, her husband, had reached high camp, but discovering that his wife hadn’t made it back, he went on to look for her and lost his life during his search. Francys later succumbed to the cold and froze to death, in a peaceful, sleeping-like body position and calming face, giving her the name “Everest Sleeping Beauty”.

Is Sleeping Beauty Still on Everest?

Sleeping Beauty’s body was recovered by an expedition group led by Ian Woodall in 2007. The body was reportedly moved out of sight from her original position as a mark of respect. The Everest Sleeping Beauty’s body remained on Everest for more than 9 years, being visible to climbers summiting Everest.

She laid in a peaceful sleeping position, with a calming face even during such extreme conditions, hence earning her the nickname “Sleeping Beauty of Everest”.

While the body has been moved from the original position, complete recovery hasn’t been made, and reports suggest she still rests on Everest, contributing to the many bodies on the Rainbow Valley Everest. Sleeping Beauty’s exact location hasn’t been disclosed publicly out of respect and privacy.

Adding to the numerous Rainbow Valley Everest deaths, the story of Everest Sleeping Beauty and her tragedy gives climbers the dangers of high-altitude climbing and how brutal nature can be for anyone. The Rainbow Valley Everest Sleeping Beauty is a reminder for climbers regarding how one shouldn’t go past their body’s limitations and how will and determination are always not enough.

Did Nepalese Climb Everest First?

The world’s tallest mountain, being in Nepal, raises the question, did Nepalese climb Everest first? The answer to this question is NO. Nepalese climbers didn’t summit Everest first but played a crucial role in supporting the first successful summit. Sir Edmund Hillary of New Zealand and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa (Nepalese) were the first to climb Everest on May 29, 1953.

Tenzing Norgay was one of the first two people to summit Mount Everest, together with Sir Edmund Hillary. As per Nepalese-only climbers, there are no official records of Nepalese-only summit attempts recorded before 1953. While there have been no records of summit attempts from Nepalese, many Nepalese Sherpas have reached high altitudes of above 8,000 meters to assist foreign climbers on their summit attempts.

Why is Rainbow Valley called Rainbow Valley?

The Rainbow Valley Everest gets its name from the bright colors of the fallen climbers’ jackets, boots, climbing gear, and tents. The Rainbow Valley Everest is situated on the Northeast ridge route of Mount Everest, close to the summit. The Rainbow Valley Everest lies within the Death Zone at an altitude above 8,000 meters. At such an altitude, oxygen levels are critically low, and surviving without supplemental oxygen is an almost impossible task.

Most of the deaths that occur on Everest happen to be at the death zone due to the low oxygen and freezing temperatures. The weather in the death zone is very unpredictable and can change in a very short time, giving climbers no time to prepare for the worst.

Snowstorms, avalanches, and extreme winds can leave climbers stranded all alone in the cold and taking their lives. The dead bodies then get swept away and pile up at the Rainbow Valley Everest.

The colorful gear and equipment of the Rainbow Valley Everest bodies, this particular area is a sight to see for the climbers on their route to the summit, paying tributes and taking lessons from the deceased. These bodies, with their colorful outfit and gear, give the valley its infamous name, “Rainbow Valley”.

What part of Everest has the most Deaths?

The Death Zone (area above 8,000 meters) is the point with the most deaths on Mount Everest. It has been estimated, around 70-80% of deaths that have occurred on Everest happen to be at the death zone. Due to the extreme altitude, the oxygen levels are critically low here, causing climbers exhaustion and hypoxia (condition caused by lack of oxygen).

The Rainbow Valley Everest deaths mostly occur here at the death zone. The air is very thin at the death zone, and surviving here without any supplemental oxygen is a task, close to impossible. Climbers often start hallucinating and suffer from confusion in such high altitudes.

The extreme cold also takes many lives in the death zone. Any prolonged exposure to the cold weather and you risk getting severe frostbite.

The Death Zone is a notoriously famous part of Everest, similar to the Rainbow Valley Everest. Most of the Rainbow Valley Everest bodies piled up there are of the deaths in the Death Zone. Because of its unpredictable weather, climbers often get swept up by sudden snowstorms and avalanches, leaving them stranded in the cold and leading to their tragic fate.

Beside the Death Zone on Everest, the Khumbu Icefall is another major dangerous section on Everest. The section is located between the Base Camp and Camp 1 on the South Col Route. The constantly moving ice, avalanches, and falls from crevasses are the major causes of the Khumbu Icefall becoming one of the many dangerous parts on Everest.

What is Special about Rainbow Valley?

The Rainbow Valley Everest is a popular sight for climbers on their way to the summit. What makes the Rainbow Valley so special is that it serves as a literal graveyard in the sky at such a high altitude. The Rainbow Valley is a haunting reminder of the extreme risks and dangers of climbing the world’s tallest mountain.

Unlike most graveyards, the Rainbow Valley is not a chosen resting place but an unfortunate graveyard for those who couldn’t make it due to the extremes of Everest. The Rainbow Valley Everest bodies remain frozen for decades and are preserved due to the extreme cold. The valley is given the name “Rainbow” due to the colorful climbing suits of the fallen climbers, contrasting brightly in the white snow.

Each body in the Rainbow Valley tells a story of ambition, determination, courage, and tragedy. Climbers pass along the Rainbow Valley on their way to the summit, knowing they could end up there too, serving as a grave reminder.

The Rainbow Valley Everest is one of the very few places on Earth where death is openly visible to other people and unmovable. Once you become a body on the Rainbow Valley Everest, you remain one for a long period of time.

What is the Oldest Dead Body on Everest?

The title for the “Oldest Dead Body on Everest” belongs to George Mallory. George Mallory was a British climber who, along with his climbing partner Andrew “Sandy” Irvine, disappeared in 1924 while attempting to reach the summit. George Mallory’s body was discovered 75 years later, in 1999.

George Mallory and his partner, Andrew, were last seen alive on June 8, 1924, near the Second Step at 8,600 m altitude, before vanishing in a snowstorm. The mystery remains whether Mallory and Irvine summited Everest or not, before their dissaperance, which would mean they would have summiyted Everest 29 years before Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa in 1953.

Mallory’s body was later discovered in 1999 by the Mallory an Irvine Research Expedition. Regarding his partner, Irvine’s body is yet to be found and remains missing on Everest.

Conclusion

To conclude the overall blog, the Rainbow Valley on Everest is a beautiful yet tragic sight for climbers passing by on their way to the summit. “A graveyard in the sky” perfectly sums up the Rainbow Valley. The bright colors of red, green, yellow, blue, and orange mounatineering suits and boots of the fallen climbers perfectly contrasting in the white snow, the Rainbow Valley serves as a grave reminder of how not everyone that attempts to conquer the world’s tallest mountain, make it back alive to their homes and their famililes.

Many popular bodies, such as Sleeping Beauty, Green Boots, David Sharp, and more, still lie in the Rainbow Valley Everest with their famous and tragic stories to be heard by climbers all over the world. With tons of mystery still yet to be uncovered, the Rainbow Valley on Everest remains one of the most haunting places, full of mysterious tales of numerous climbers still unheard of.

Rainbow Valley on Everest is a haunting yet scenic reminder of the extreme risks of climbing Everest. The Valley portrays stories of ambition, courage, preservance, and the harsh reality that is Mount Everest itself. The Rainbow Valley speaks about the dangers of the Death Zone and high-altitude climbing.