‘Green Boots’: India plans daring mission to bring home soldier's body from Everest's death zone after 30 years
Nearly three decades after lance naik Dorje Morup died in a blizzard near Everest's summit, India's border force is planning a high-risk mission to finally bring his body home — and give his family the closure they've waited a lifetime for.
India plans an ambitious mission to retrieve the body of Dorje Morup, an Indian climber who died on Mount Everest in 1996, after lying undiscovered for 30 years beneath a rocky overhang near the summit's death zone. The fallen soldier, who was part of a six-member Indian team attempting to ascend via the challenging Chinese route, was identified by his distinctive lime-colored boots.
His family, particularly his wife, has been waiting for closure, picturing his return. The mission, aimed to be completed by September, involves bringing Morup's remains back to India. The operation faces significant challenges due to the extreme conditions of Everest's death zone, where temperatures drop to -40°C and oxygen levels are drastically reduced.
Only a select few have attempted similar recoveries, which could require a team of up to twelve experienced climbers and cost between $40,000 to $80,000. The ITBP, the force responsible for guarding India's borders with China, is funding the operation and is working with Sherpa-led rescue teams to bring Morup's body home, hoping to honor his legacy as a martyr serving the country.
Written by urgent.news from Live Mint's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
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