When you think of Mount Everest, we'll bet you think of glittering jagged peaks that strike a bold horizon on a clear blue sky.
Or perhaps a flag flapping atop the highest peak.
While for many Everest is a part of the world only the most intrepid of adventurers have ever dared to conquer.
Advert
But you know what has conquered it? Garbage.
Yep, we now have a Garbage Island and a Garbage Mountain.
What was once an untouched wonder of nature is now filled with rubbish, with photos showing a stark reality of the true impact tourism has had on the surrounding areas of the highest mountain in the world.
Advert
A video has surfaced on Twitter that shows the beautiful white snow of the world's tallest peak littered with rubbish, garbage, abandoned tents, and other plastic waste thrown away at a camp on Mount Everest.
''Disheartening to see the accumulation of garbage at Camp IV on Mt Everest (29,031.69 feet, 8848.86 meters)," Everest Today, a Twitter account devoted to high peak climbing, wrote on social media.
"It's high time we address this issue with urgency and commitment."
They added: "Let's demand stricter regulations, enforcement of clean climbing practices, and effective waste management strategies."
Advert
The video alongside the call-out is equally as grim, with rubbish littering the ground as far as the eye can see.
Social media users were disgusted by the sight of what many assumed would be a pristine landscape.
One user said: "This is pretty disgusting. I would think the climbing community could do better, but I guess I'm wrong."
A second chipped in with: "We as humans might have scaled insurmountable summits but we've surely stepped too low in our conduct and compassion towards nature. Be it mountains, forests, or rivers, we've not spared nature's resources from our interference, pollution, and destruction."
Advert
While a third added: "This situation is insane and critical to the natural ecosystem there. Local authorities should be able to solve the problem and prevent further damage."
They added: "Waste management time with efficient maintenance service is one option but also other potential measures to cope with this issue.''
As well as rubbish, there are also a number of bodies discarded at what is essentially the world's highest rubbish tip.
Advert
Climbers frequently die in the monster trek to scale up and down the peak, with many left abandoned due to the isolated nature of the mountains.
Topics: World News, News, Environment