Rainbow Valley is a tiny region known as the "Death Zone" that lies immediately below the peak of Mount Everest. Given that a person's body will be strained by the altitude, the Death Zone at Mount Everest begins at 8,000 meters (26,247 feet) above sea level. At 8,000 meters, the oxygen level is about one-third of that at sea level. To put into perspective, your body will be starving for oxygen. Your body will begin to shut down, and even the most experienced climbers will have difficulty with making a strong mental decision, staying on the straight line, or making safe decisions. Rainbow Valley Everest gets its name from the colorful down jackets and climbing gear worn by climbers who died in this zone. Their bodies are spread out along the path; however, only the bright colors stayed in people's memories as they created the sight of a graveyard with color.
The Rainbow valley Everest bodies lie where the climbers fell. Once a climber falls to the ground in the Everest Death Zone, rescuing them is nearly impossible due to the thin air, freezing temperatures and the physical efforts of every climber involved. There is no aerial support available as helicopters cannot safely operate at these high altitudes, and you would need an incredible amount of strength to carry the body down from that altitude, which could cost more climbers their lives. This is the main reason why Rainbow Valley has so many dead bodies.
When climbers move toward the summit they must go through this area. Rainbow Valley Mt Everest serves as a harsh warning before the mountain takes the climbers. Rainbow Valley is not on any map of the area, but is well known among mountaineers.
This blog will assist you in learning what Mount Everest rainbow valley is, some reasons why so many climbers died on Everest and why it is still so difficult in the Everest Death Zone, even with all the preparation in the world.
Person walking along snowy ridge on Mount Everest
What and Where is Rainbow Valley on Mount Everest?
Rainbow Valley is an area just below the summit of Mount Everest. It is located on the South Col route, in a region known as the Everest Death Zone which is the area above 8,000 meters (26,247 feet). The oxygen levels in this zone are so low that they make it difficult for the human body to survive, reducing physical strength and clear thinking without supplemental oxygen. The name “Rainbow Valley Everest” comes from the bright-colored jackets, helmets, and climbing gear of dead climbers that still remain along the trail.
Rainbow Valley is an informal name for a part of the mountainside on Everest. It is not marked on official maps, but it is widely known among Everest climbers and mountaineers. It lies just below the Hillary Step and the summit, one of the most dangerous sections of the climb. When climbers pass through Rainbow Valley, they are in the final stage of the ascent. Many have to step around or over bodies that have been there for many years.
Rainbow Valley Mt Everest is not a true valley, but a part of the slope where most of the bodies that were never brought down remain. It has become a known location and a lasting symbol of the serious dangers and life-threatening risks of high-altitude mountaineering.
Climber on snowy path near Everest summit
Why Are There So Many Bodies in Rainbow Valley?
There are tons of dead bodies in Rainbow Valley Everest due to the extreme dangers of climbing in the Death Zone of Everest. Above 8,000 meters, the air contains only one-third the oxygen that a climber will find at sea level. Climbers will suffer from serious altitude sickness, frostbite, exhaustion, and life-threatening cold conditions who face a sudden collapse, or oxygen failure, or from poor weather. The majority of people died on Everest during the final push to the summit, or while descending.
After the body is on the ice, the effort to recover the corpse from Rainbow Valley is incredibly challenging. Helicopters cannot fly at that altitude, and even the strongest of climbers would struggle to carry the extra weight of another climber's body. An expedition to retrieve a body is dangerous, expensive, and often never executed. It is common for bodies to be left where they have fallen, and by finding other clothes that are not ripped clothing becomes part of the landscape.
That's why Mount Everest Rainbow Valley has so many dead bodies in it. Over time, the bodies have remained frozen in the ice, and previously the colorful climbing gear provided significance to the Rainbow Valley name.
What Happens to Climbers Who Died on Everest?
Due to the extreme difficulty and danger in removing bodies from the mountain, when climbers die on Mount Everest, their bodies often remain there. The Everest Death Zone, located above 8,000 meters, is where the majority of Mount Everest fatalities take place. The lack of oxygen due to extreme altitude, low temperatures, and severe weather conditions, make attempts at carrying or retrieving the body dangerous and costly, sometimes tens of thousands of dollars. Sherpas tend to conduct body retrievals, and although they are experienced, they can still run into dangers associated with, and in the past, have died during recovery attempts.
Most of the time, bodies are left where the climber fell, often moved slightly off the main path to not disturb the walking path of other climbers. Some bodies are buried in snow or even placed in a crevasse, while others remain visible and often take on a name, like "Green Boots." Some climbers decide to stay on the mountain, when they die, much like a captain going down with his ship.
Only a few bodies are recovered and returned to the family because it generally requires a request from the family, a danger to Sherpas may be minimized, and it is usually a difficult process, taking several days with a group of Sherpas.
Close-up view of Mount Everest covered in snow, seen from Cho Oyu Base Camp
Top Reasons Why Climbers Die on Everest
Lack of Oxygen and High-Altitude Illness
Climbers enter the Everest Death Zone at more than 8,000 meters, and oxygen levels drop to roughly one-third of what we breathe in at sea level. In this low-oxygen environment, the body begins to fail. Many climbers develop acute mountain sickness (AMS) and some develop high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE); the body builds fluid in the lungs, or high-altitude cerebral edema (HACE), which is swelling in the brain. These illnesses produce confusion, decreased coordination, and even unconsciousness. Climbers who cannot descend in short order may die. Even with supplemental oxygen, the body is still unable to perform normally, and climbers often make poor or slower decisions, increasing the risk of making a fatal mistake.
Harsh Weather and Sudden Storms
Mount Everest weather conditions change very quickly. The winds grow strong, whiteout conditions emerge, and sudden snow storms can occur. Climbers outdoors in these conditions may not be able to find their way or may become exposed on parts of the mountain. Many climbers fall victim to hypothermia or frostbite, and some depend on endurance and die while waiting for safe passage to emerge from storms. Extreme weather conditions on Everest have contributed to many deaths over the years, especially when making summit attempts.
Falls, Slips, and Ice Collapses
Mt. Everest has steep and icy routes, and unstable ice walls, especially when climbing through areas such as the Khumbu Icefall. Climbers risk falling or slipping, or getting crushed when ice collapses or during avalanches. These risks often lead to serious injury or death. Falling on Everest is a common source of fatality, especially in high-risk regions that include ladders, crevasses, and unstable terrain.
Fatigue and Physical Breakdown
Climbing Everest is very hard on the body. Simply put, the lack of oxygen, frigid temperatures, and hours of climbing consume energy rapidly; moreover, many climbers are drained before they even reach the summit, only to literally collapse on the way down due to fatigue, dehydration, or low energy. Some cease moving altogether and feel like they cannot continue descending. In many deaths on Everest, the crawlers simply lost all strength after summiting the peak.
Equipment Failure or Lack of Proper Equipment
Climbers who use damaged or low-quality gear especially, oxygen tanks, crampons, or ropes can put themselves at risk. Running out of oxygen, or losing a headlamp or glove in the Death Zone can turn into a life-threatening situation in seconds.
Why Is Rainbow Valley Also Called the Open Graveyard of Everest?
Climbers call Rainbow Valley the "open graveyard" of Everest because it contains many bodies of climbers who perished in the Everest Death Zone, part of Everest that is above 8,000 meters. These climbers died wearing colorful jackets and gear and their bodies still remain on Everest sometimes for decades. The bright-colored gear and clothing give Rainbow Valley a rainbow-like scenario on the white snow, which is how Rainbow Valley Everest got its name. Since the cold temperature remains below freezing, the bodies do not decompose, and climbers or guides at times have moved the bodies only slightly off the path to keep the way clear. Eventually, this area got a reputation for its many visible bodies. It is a stark reminder of the risks people take when trying to reach the top.
Body of a climber in a snow trench on Everest, with sunrise over snowy mountains
Why Body Recovery from Rainbow Valley Everest is Rare and Expensive?
Recovering bodies from Rainbow Valley Everest is rare because it is both dangerous and expensive. To recover the body, a group of Sherpas must carry oxygen, ropes, and other gear and climb back up to the site of the person's death. They are risking their own lives. Helicopters cannot fly to the upper reaches of Everest because of the thin air, so all recoveries have to be done on foot - which is slow, hard work, and expensive. Recovering one body could cost $60,000 to $100,000 depending on the weather, altitude and, of course, the location. With all of these dangers and high costs, climbers who die on Everest almost always stay where they die, or are moved a little off the path, to locations such as Rainbow Valley.
FAQs
How many people have died on Mount Everest so far?
Everest has claimed the lives of over 340 climbers since the first attempts were made to summit the mountain. Most deaths occurred above 8000m, in the area known as the Death Zone.
How many people have died in Rainbow Valley or the Death Zone?
It's impossible to know how many died at the Death Zone, but it is clear that a great many have, and there are several bodies lying in Rainbow Valley. This area has become a graveyard for climbers who didn't make it back.
Why are the bodies not brought down from Rainbow Valley?
Recovering bodies from an altitude such as Everest is incredibly dangerous, physically demanding, and very costly. The combination of extreme cold, thin air, and steep terrain makes any sort of salvage or recovery almost impossible. This is why climbers often leave the bodies as they are.
Can climbers avoid Rainbow Valley during the Everest climb?
No, climbers on the standard southeast route to the summit will typically pass through or past Rainbow Valley. Rainbow Valley sits above Camp IV, just prior to the last summit push.
Is it legal to leave bodies on Everest?
There are no specific laws about leaving bodies on Everest. In almost every situation, it is up to the families or teams. Due to risks and costs, many families leave their loved ones where they lie.
Has anyone been rescued from the Death Zone?
It has happened, although it's very rare. Rescues from the Death Zone have been done, however, they are extremely dangerous and difficult to execute. Most rescue teams try to avoid ever ascending that high unless it is a life or death situation.
Why Do People Often Call Rainbow Valley the Death Zone of Mount Everest?
People often call Rainbow Valley part of Everest’s Death Zone because it lies just above 8,000 meters, where the air is so thin that our bodies can’t function properly for long. In this harsh environment, even the most seasoned climbers find it tough to survive.
Over the years, many lives have been lost in this area of the mountain The bright colors of climbers’ down suits red, blue, yellow, and green are scattered across the icy slopes, giving the valley its name. This striking mix of beauty and tragedy in Rainbow Valley perfectly captures the grim reality of Everest’s Death Zone: a place where dreams collide with the ultimate danger, and survival is never a sure thing.
What do climbers think when they pass Rainbow Valley?
Climbers typically feel shocked, emotional, or contemplative after seeing the dead. The climbers view the bodies as a reminder of the serious risk they are taking. Some climbers feel fear while others feel respect for the climbers that have come before them. It is a sobering and profound experience on the journey to the summit.
Sunrise over the clouds from Camp 1 in the Everest region
Conclusion
Climbing Mount Everest is one of the most challenging and dangerous adventures in the world. The main causes of death on Everest include lack of oxygen, high-altitude illnesses, weather-related accidents, falls, and extreme exhaustion. The section of the mountain above 8,000 m is commonly referred to as the Death Zone. It is an exceptionally inhospitable landscape, with air pressure that only contains one third of the oxygen available at sea level. Unfortunately, many climbers succumb to altitude sickness, or even offer to collapse with exhaustion. The weather on the mountain is so unstable and changing that tough travel conditions quickly become more dangerous, if not impossible.
Rainbow Valley, located just below the summit, is known as Everest's "open graveyard", as it not only holds the bodies of climbers that could not be brought down from the summit, but also it is the place for their final resting place. It is nearly impossible to bring bodies back down from altitude because of thin air, freezing temperatures, and steep terrain. Recovering bodies from Everest has a cost that ranges from $60,000 to $100,000. The danger to rescuers reaching subjects in the Death Zone is very high.
Regardless of what your Everest experience will be, it is helpful to understand the risks. If you are interested in experiencing the Himalayas safely, consider trekking to Everest Base Camp. Please contact us to learn more about planning your trek.
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