India plans recovery mission for Everest climber ‘Green Boots’

Indian authorities are planning a high-risk recovery mission to retrieve the remains of the climber known as ‘Green Boots’ from Mount Everest. The body, located in the ‘death zone’ at approximately 8,500 meters, has served as a grim landmark for mountaineers for nearly 30 years due to the distinctive neon green Koflach boots the individual was wearing.

While the identity of the climber was long debated, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) believes the remains belong to Dorje Morup, a 48-year-old climber who died during a blizzard in May 1996 while attempting an expedition from the Tibetan side of the mountain. The mission to recover the body is considered extremely dangerous due to the extreme altitude and harsh conditions.

Morup’s wife, Konchak Yangskit, expressed her hope for the repatriation of her husband’s remains, noting that the lack of a body made it difficult for the family to fully process his death. If the identity is confirmed, the remains will be returned to his family in the Ladakh region for funeral rites.