What Happened to Green Boots (Mount Everest landmark)?
Green Boots refers to the body of an Indian climber, long believed to be Tsewang Paljor, whose distinctive green boots made him a grim landmark on Mount Everest's Northeast Ridge for decades. Recent DNA evidence in 2026 has identified the body as Dorje Morup, another Indian climber from the same ill-fated 1996 expedition. The Indian government has launched a mission in 2026 to recover his remains from the 'death zone'.
Quick Answer
Green Boots, a macabre landmark on Mount Everest's Northeast Ridge, was the body of a climber whose bright green boots made him easily identifiable. For nearly three decades, he was widely believed to be Tsewang Paljor, an Indian mountaineer who perished in the 1996 Everest disaster. However, in 2026, new DNA evidence and Indian government documents definitively identified the body as Dorje Morup, a fellow climber from the same expedition. As of August 2026, the Indian government has initiated a high-risk mission to recover Morup's remains from the 'death zone' by October 2026, aiming to provide his family with a final resting place.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline10 events
Death of Dorje Morup (Green Boots)
Dorje Morup, an Indian climber with the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) expedition, perished in a severe blizzard on Mount Everest's Northeast Ridge, along with fellow climbers Tsewang Paljor and Tsewang Smanla, during one of the deadliest seasons in Everest history.
Body Becomes a Landmark
Morup's body, identifiable by his bright green Koflach boots, became a prominent, albeit grim, landmark in a limestone alcove at approximately 8,500 meters on the North Face route, earning him the nickname 'Green Boots'.
First Recorded Footage
British filmmaker and climber Matt Dickinson filmed the body, which was later included in the Brian Blessed documentary 'Summit Fever', describing the climber as from India.
David Sharp Incident
British mountaineer David Sharp was found in a hypothermic state near Green Boots, sparking ethical debates after he subsequently died, with many climbers passing him without rendering aid.
Body Moved or Covered
Reports indicated that the China Tibet Mountaineering Association moved or covered Green Boots' body to a less conspicuous location, possibly burying it partially under rocks, to reduce its psychological impact on climbers.
Brief Reappearance
Some climbers reported seeing Green Boots again, though not in his original prominent position, suggesting he was still present but less noticeable or further along the cave.
No Longer on Main Trail
By 2025, climbers on the North Col route generally no longer saw Green Boots on the main trail, with speculation that he was either moved further down or completely buried.
India Initiates Recovery Mission
The Indian government's Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) floats a tender to hire a high-altitude recovery agency to retrieve 'Green Boots' from Everest's north side.
Identity Confirmed as Dorje Morup
New DNA testing and Indian government documents definitively identify 'Green Boots' as Dorje Morup, resolving decades of speculation that it was Tsewang Paljor.
Recovery Mission Details Emerge
Reports confirm India's plan to recover Dorje Morup's body, with a specialist team of 10-12 experienced climbers aiming to bring the remains to India by September/October 2026 for a family funeral.
Follow this story
Get an email when this timeline gets a major update.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
For nearly 30 years, the frozen body known as 'Green Boots' served as a chilling, yet practical, landmark for climbers ascending Mount Everest's treacherous Northeast Ridge. Located in a small limestone alcove at approximately 8,500 meters (27,900 ft) within the notorious 'death zone,' the climber's distinctive bright green Koflach mountaineering boots made him easily recognizable to those passing by. This grim waypoint became a stark reminder of the extreme dangers and human cost associated with conquering the world's highest peak.
The identity of Green Boots was a subject of long-standing speculation within the mountaineering community. For decades, it was widely believed to be Tsewang Paljor, a 28-year-old Indian climber from the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) expedition who died during the infamous 1996 Everest disaster. This disaster, which claimed the lives of eight climbers in a severe blizzard, highlighted the unpredictable and unforgiving nature of the mountain. Paljor and two teammates were caught in the storm while attempting to summit from the north side.
A key turning point occurred around 2014 when reports emerged that Green Boots' body was no longer prominently visible at its traditional spot. It is believed that the China Tibet Mountaineering Association, which manages the northern side of Everest, moved or covered the body to a less conspicuous location, possibly to reduce the psychological impact on climbers. While some climbers reported seeing parts of the body again around 2017, it was generally considered less noticeable or partially buried.
The most significant recent development came in 2026. Based on new DNA testing and official Indian government documents, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) definitively identified 'Green Boots' as Lance Naik Dorje Morup, another member of the same 1996 ITBP expedition, rather than Tsewang Paljor. This revelation resolved a nearly three-decade-old mystery. As of June 2026, the Indian government has initiated a high-risk recovery mission, floating a tender for an elite team of Sherpas to extract Morup's remains from the 'death zone'.
The current status, as of August 10, 2026, is that the recovery mission is planned for the summer/monsoon season of 2026 (June to September), with the goal of transporting Dorje Morup's body to Delhi by October 2026. The operation is expected to be arduous and dangerous, requiring a team of 10-12 experienced climbers. Morup's family in Ladakh plans to hold a funeral and intends to preserve the iconic green boots as a memory of their father. This mission underscores a growing effort to respectfully manage the hundreds of bodies that remain on Everest, many of which have become unintended landmarks.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Green Boots (Mount Everest landmark) made different choices?