The iconic Mount Everest, standing tall as the pinnacle of the world, has long been a symbol of human ambition and resilience. However, it also stands as a testament to the environmental and logistical challenges faced by climbers and the local Sherpa community. In an impressive achievement, DJI, in collaboration with local and international partners, has successfully conducted the first drone delivery test on Everest. The tests not only showcases the technological capability of DJI’s FlyCart 30 but also opens up new possibilities for safer and more efficient mountaineering logistics and environmental conservation.
The Challenge of Everest
Mount Everest, or Mount Qomolangma, attracts climbers from around the globe, each aspiring to conquer its formidable heights. As of 2023, 6,664 people have summited Everest. However, this feat comes with significant environmental costs. Each climber leaves behind an average of 8 kilograms of garbage, contributing to the metric tons of waste scattered across the mountain’s slopes. The responsibility of transporting supplies and clearing trash has traditionally fallen on the local Sherpa guides, the unsung heroes who risk their lives navigating the perilous Khumbu Icefall.
Mingma Gyalje Sherpa, a certified mountain guide with Imagine Nepal, recounts the dangers faced by Sherpas: “We need to spend 6-8 hours each day walking through this icefall. Last year I lost three Sherpas. If we’re not lucky, if our time is not right, we lose our life there.” The hazardous climb typically happens at night when temperatures are lowest and the ice is most stable, further compounding the risks involved.
The Technological Breakthrough
In April 2024, DJI, in collaboration with Nepalese drone service company Airlift, video production company 8KRAW, and Mingma Gyalje Sherpa, conducted the first drone delivery test on Everest. This test marks a significant milestone in aviation and mountaineering logistics. The DJI FlyCart 30 demonstrated its capability to handle the extreme conditions of Everest, including temperatures as low as -20°C and wind speeds up to 15m/s.
The initial test involved an unloaded hover, reaching a maximum flight altitude of 5,500 meters and maintaining stability even in sudden strong winds. The FlyCart 30 successfully completed a round trip between Everest Base Camp and Camp 1, carrying a 15 kg payload, which included three oxygen bottles and 1.5 kg of other supplies on the ascent, and bringing down an equivalent amount of trash on the return trip. This achievement not only highlights the drone’s robustness but also its potential to revolutionize logistics in high-altitude environments.
Enhancing Safety and Efficiency
The introduction of drone technology in Everest’s logistics aims to mitigate the risks faced by Sherpas. Traditional supply runs across the Khumbu Icefall, which can exceed 30 trips per season, pose significant dangers. The FlyCart 30, capable of completing a 12-minute round trip between camps, can significantly reduce the need for Sherpas to traverse these hazardous paths.
Christina Zhang, Senior Corporate Strategy Director at DJI, emphasizes the potential impact of this technology: “The ability to safely transport equipment, supplies, and waste by drone has the potential to revolutionize Everest mountaineering logistics, facilitate trash cleanup efforts, and improve safety for all involved.” Each successful drone delivery of 15 kg on Everest could mean one fewer life-threatening trip for the mountain guides, directly enhancing their safety and well-being.
Environmental Impact and Conservation
The environmental impact of mountaineering on Everest extends beyond the immediate vicinity. The garbage pollution affects not only the mountain itself but also the hundreds of millions of people living around and downstream of the Himalayas. The deployment of drones for trash collection can play a crucial role in mitigating this impact.
During the initial tests, the FlyCart 30 successfully brought down 15 kg of waste from Camp 1 to Everest Base Camp. This capability can be scaled to facilitate more comprehensive cleanup efforts, reducing the burden on Sherpas and contributing to the preservation of Everest’s pristine environment. As Zhang points out, “Using technology to improve safety and protect the environment is also DJI's responsibility.”
Future Prospects
The success of these initial drone tests has paved the way for broader implementation. The Nepalese government has contracted a local drone service company to establish drone delivery operations on the southern slope of Everest starting in May 2024. This initiative is expected to enhance safety and efficiency in Everest’s mountaineering logistics, setting a precedent for the use of drones in other high-altitude and challenging environments.
The potential applications of the DJI FlyCart 30 extend beyond Everest. Since its global launch in January 2024, it has been deployed for various purposes, including planting saplings in steep hillside environments, transforming solar PV installation in Mexico, aiding mountain fire rescue efforts in Norway, and improving scientific research operations in Antarctica. These deployments underscore the versatility and practicality of drone technology in addressing unique logistical challenges.
The successful drone delivery on Mount Everest marks a significant milestone in both aviation and environmental conservation. It showcases the potential of technology to enhance safety, efficiency, and sustainability in some of the world’s most challenging environments. As DJI and its partners continue to innovate, the future of high-altitude logistics looks promising, with drones playing a pivotal role in transforming mountaineering practices and preserving our natural world.
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