Human waste problem reaches a peak

Human waste left by climbers on Qomolangma, also known as Mount Everest in the West, is causing pollution and threatens to spread disease on the world's highest peak, the head of Nepal's mountaineering association said on Tuesday.

The more than 700 climbers and guides who spend nearly two months on Qomolangma's slopes each climbing season leave large amounts of feces and urine, and the issue has not been addressed, Ang Tshering told reporters. He said Nepal's government needs to get the climbers to dispose of the waste properly so the mountain remains pristine.

Hundreds of foreign climbers attempt to scale Qomolangma during Nepal's mountaineering season, which began this week and runs through May. Last year's season was canceled after 16 local guides were killed in an avalanche in April.