When you are exploring the allays of Mount Everest, The Rainbow Valley is a remarkable and gloomy section you will come across. Located around 8400 m high, This section reminds you of the darker side of Everest. For the ones who made it to the top safely, Mt. Everest resembles an honor, a sense of achievement and serenity. However, to the ones who were not able to make it back safely, It was a nightmare, lonely, scary, freezing, hopeless and heartbreaking moment.
Whenever people hear about Mount Everest Rainbow Valley they usually picture it as a colorful, vibrant, bright, full of life and a happy place to be in. However, the reality is far more heartbreaking and emotional. The courage, passion and effort it takes one to conquer Everest usually hides the fact that thousands of souls lost their lives during the same quest. This just reminds us how brutal and fair mother nature can be.
How did Rainbow Valley get its name?
The Mount Everest is nicknamed Rainbow Valley not because of its colorful, happy and sunny reasons. The dead bodies of climbers are covered in colorful clothing and are scattered all over the section. Blue, red, orange and yellow-colored jackets, tents, cans and oxygen tanks can be seen all over the place.
Since the dead bodies do not decay and remain perfectly solid beyond 8000 meters, It is visible to the mountain climbers resembling a rainbow-like image which is why it is named as the Rainbow Valley of Mount Everest. The name might make it sound like an enjoyable part of the Everest summit however, it holds an immense emotional depth as this place has become the graveyard to rest for the lost souls who were unsuccessful during their quest. This place is also known as the “open graveyard” of Everest.
Why are dead bodies piling up in the Rainbow Valley Everest?
Since the Rainbow Valley lies near an area above 8000 meters which is considered the death zone of Everest, rescuing/retrieving in this condition would be putting your life at stake, It is hard for even just one person to make their way forward.
The oxygen levels are thin, strong blows of wind, avalanches occur frequently and the trail is capable of fitting only one body per step so it is very challenging to retrieve or rescue the dead bodies from the death zone. Therefore no one is easily willing to take risks and bring back the ones that are already dead. It takes skilled rescue teams with multiple members to just retrieve one body which is quite expensive as well.
Even if the rescue was afforded, there is still a lot of risk for the ones on this mission. Several people, especially Nepalese mountaineers have died on their way to rescue. It's hard to find team members who agree to sign up for rescue missions like this.
So when anyone dies in the trail they are pushed away from the route and left to perish on a section which eventually became an “open graveyard” for the lost souls in Mount Everest. These corpses remain fresh since it's frozen and lay there among other defeated climbers forever on Everest.
This horror spot on Everest near the summit gives chills to fellow climbers and makes them realize that human courage is nothing against the might of Mother Nature. So the climbers who come across this section hold for a moment of silence to grieve for defeated climbers who were once just as motivated as them but couldn't face the brutal force of nature.
What is the Death Zone on Everest ?
All the region which lies above 8,000 m (26,247 ft) is regarded as the “Death Zone.” On Everest, The Death Zone is the place where most deaths occur. This particular section of Everest has harsh weather conditions, freezing temperatures, avalanches, narrow trails, strong winds and a very thin level of oxygen i.e. third of the normal level which is not sufficient to sustain the human body alive.
These circumstances in the death zone make it very hard for the climbers on every step towards a successful summit. As the body gets weaker due to continuous deterioration minute by minute, cell by cell at this significantly high altitude, it will be challenging to even move the body forward slightly.
The climbers may suffer from hypoxia, due to lack of oxygen. The dropping temperature of -30°C (-22°F) might cause climbers to get frostbites and suffer from hypothermia which would increase their chances of death and ending up in Rainbow Valley. So the climbers on Everest have to stay prepared for the challenges of nature in front of their goal.
Here are some of the essential things to keep in check during your Everest summit:
Artificial oxygen supplements are crucial for survival in the death zone.
The 2:00 P.M Rule: It is believed among Everest climbers that if you want to make it back safely from the summit then initiate the descent before 2:00 p.m. so that you can dodge the unstoppable storms, avalanches and not be caught in the death zone.
Strong mentality: Encountering countless dead bodies on the way to the summit might make the climber feel hopeless and scared when faced with difficulties like unpredictable climatic changes, weakness, shortness of breath, stress and freezing temperatures. So it is important to have a strong mindset and confidence to move forward and Conquer the summit.
7 facts you should know about Rainbow Valley
- The Rainbow Valley looks actually pretty from afar among the breathtaking views due to its colorful portion on the way to the top of Everest.
- The exact location of Rainbow Valley is below the summit and above the everest base camp lying on the southern slope of Everest.
- Rainbow Valley encompasses a wide variety of quartzite rocks, sedimentary layers and multiple minerals which radiate a colorful vibe.
- Among a range of minerals found in Rainbow Valley, iron oxides produce reds & oranges, and other few radiate blues, greens and purples overall making it an aesthetically pleasing area to observe despite the sadness of resting souls.
- The winds of the death zone are so freezing that it solidifies the trail and makes it harder to climb.
- The Rainbow Valley Everest is exactly around 7000 m high with dropping temperatures in the region.
- The remains left in the Rainbow Valley Everest Mountain have resulted harshly in climatic conditions and increased pollution as a result.
Despite the sad reality of the Rainbow Valley, it has unique scenery to offer which highlights the mountain’s landscape on Everest.
What does the Rainbow Valley Everest symbolize for climbers?
Every person who ends up on the trail of Everest towards the summit is a once motivated and courageous soul dead or alive. Some happen to make it successfully and some were not fortunate enough to live with that achievement for the rest of their lives and remained lying upon Everest forever.
With the unforgettable and splendid panorama from Everest comes intense physical exhaustion, mental stress, unavoidable risks and self-doubts. The climbers on Everest are reminded of the harsh reality of the climbing community and the brutal force of nature at high altitude particularly in the death zone against the bravery of a person.
There are small monuments, prayer flags and stone pyramids placed by climbers around the Rainbow Valley in the memory of the former climbers who were not able to make it successfully. Their ethical dilemma gets the best of them because they have no choice but to leave them in the cold, alone and dead to continue on their journey.
This burial site signifies that mountains treat everyone equally, no matter where they come from, no matter where they belong and definitely no matter if you just conquered the summit of Everest or were close to it. These lost souls will forever rest on the lap of Everest between the intense force of Mother Nature and its breathtaking panorama.
How has climate change affected Rainbow Valley?
With the increase in global warming, the mountain region has been the most affected area. The increase in global temperature has led the snow on the mountains to melt rapidly. This increases the risk of avalanches and glacial melts which is terrible news for mountain climbers and the locals.
The warming temperatures are now revealing more dead bodies on the Rainbow Valley Everest which were piled over for years. When there is not enough snow and the right temperature at this altitude, the climbing condition changes and so does the ecosystem of that area.
Natural mummification wouldn't be possible if it is not extremely cold in the Rainbow Valley. And when this happens the bodies will start to rot and create new disasters for climbers to deal with along with the locals. The mountains are the water resources for the nation and lack of proper management of remains on the mountains will contaminate the whole source.
Global warming is one of those natural disasters led by humans and their activities which should be addressed immediately with immense effort on a global scale.
Is it considered illegal or unethical to leave bodies in the Rainbow Valley Mount Everest?
It isn't illegal at all, it's just a bitter reality of high-altitude mountaineering. The ethical dilemmas climbers face while passing through fallen climbers question their morals and what they have learned their whole lives.
Despite understanding all the sadness and hard work of those defeated climbers, they can't do anything but feel sorry and move on with their quest. With the surroundings they are given, rescue and retrieving activities are impossible and dangerous. It causes more risks for the other climbers which might lead all of them to be one within the Rainbow Valley.
It is out of the ability of fellow climbers to take the bodies of fallen climbers along the route in the Death Zone. So, the dead bodies that come across on the route are put to rest in the open graveyard called the “Rainbow Valley” of Mount Everest where the lost souls can rest peacefully.
All of the climbers of Everest follow silent rituals as a tribute to show admiration for their bravery.
Can the Everest climbers avoid passing through Rainbow Valley?
No, they can't. The Everest climbers following the standard route of the Southeast ridge from Nepal cannot avoid passing through the Rainbow Valley on Mount Everest at all. This is the final section for the climbers as a last push before reaching the summit also known as the Death Zone.
This section isn't a marked area, instead, it is a term given by fellow Everest climbers where several fallen climbers have piled over years located near the descent route. The Climbers have no alternative trail but to go through or beside this section during their ascent or descent from the summit.
If you are determined to avoid Rainbow Valley at all, The only choice you have is to take a different route up to Everest like from North Col, Tibet which has its complications and hazards and after all, a few fallen climbers that you might come across eventually.
If you are aiming to climb Everest you are bound to encounter an unavoidable reminder of the deadly potential of Mother Nature around the mountains and high altitudes.
Is Rainbow Valley Everest the same as the death zone?
No, the Rainbow Valley Everest is just a section located within the death zone and it is not the whole zone itself of Mt. Everest.
The Death Zone is an area above 8,000 m where the oxygen levels are thin i.e. 1/3 of the normal level which is not enough to sustain human life for a long time. Even experienced hikers can only survive a day or two at most in this zone without additional oxygen.
After the story behind the Rainbow Valley, is it worth it to climb Everest?
This depends upon every individual since it is very subjective. Some people might consider that achievement is worth the danger and challenges It comes with. However, others are more concerned about the life-threatening risks of conquering their quest including some highlighted places like Rainbow Valley which depicts how dangerous our ambitions can get.
The decision is really up to you, to Everest it doesn't matter who came to conquer it, who succeeded and who failed. Regardless, Mount Everest will always be an iconic symbol in the whole world standing tall and strong.
On a concluding note,
The way to the top of the world, Mount Everest is full of challenges and risks that will test your limits in ways you could have never imagined. It's dark, cold, rough and exhausting out there. However, these are the very aspects that make your journey extraordinary and give you an accomplishment of a lifetime.
Turn the fears of cold, the deep significance of Rainbow Valley, and the startling threat of avalanches into the fuel for your ambition and not let them push it down. Prepare yourself mentally and physically to face the brutality of Mother Nature at high altitudes. The fallen souls of Rainbow Valley will be proud of you when you finally conquer the summit of Everest and make it back safely.
When you are finally rewarded with the majestic views from Everest, all of the hardships, exhaustion, training, inner work, and risks you go through will make sense. Not everyone is meant to observe this mind-blowing panorama from the top of the world while gasping in thin air, creating history.
If you always had a thing for climbing and feel most alive when doing so but not Everest? You are missing out big time!!!!
Sure….. the other mountains you’ve climbed must have been amazing but it is not even close to comparable when it comes to Mount Everest. You, as an experienced climber, reaching the summit of Everest has to be at the top of your bucket list.
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