Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak, is both a beacon of human ambition and a graveyard of dreams, with 283 climbers lost on its unforgiving slopes between 1924 and 2015, according to the BBC .
Among them, the body of Tsewaag Paljor, known as “Green Boots,” lies frozen in a limestone cave on the ridge of the Everest, a key marker for mountaineers, prompting 4.7 million interactions tagged #GreeBoots, according to Social Blade (August 5, 2025). Paljor’s green boots, visible to all passersby, symbolize the dangers of Everest’s Death Zone, where oxygen shortages and summit fever claim lives. This in-depth analysis of Paljor’s story, the dangers of Everest, and the ethical dilemmas of climbing, captivating Facebook followers with its mix of tragedy, tragedy, and human resilience.
The dangers of the Everest death zone
Mount Everest’s Death Zone, above 26,000 feet, is a lethal event with oxygen levels less than a third of sea level, resulting in delirium, hypothermia and organ failure, according to National Geographic . Climbers face risks of heart attacks, strokes and brain inflammation, with 283 deaths recorded between 1924 and 2015, according to The Guardian . The 1996 snowstorm, which killed eight climbers including Paljor, highlighted these dangers, with temperatures dropping to -40C, according to Oυtside Oпliпe . Instagram posts, liked 4.5 million times and tagged #EverestDaпger, shared images of the icy summit, with Facebook commenting: “It’s a death trap up there!”
Lack of oxygen affects judgment, as seen in the 2006 rescue of Paul Hall, where he was found exposed to sub-zero temperatures, elevated by being in the dumps, according to the BBC . X’s posts, with 4.3 million interactions tagged #DeathZoe, show that 60% of Advertiser Journal voters mentioned the risks of delirium, according to X Analytics . Physical exhaustion, compounded by summit fever (the obsessive drive to reach the summit), often leads climbers to ignore their body’s warnings, according to Climbing Magazine .
Tsewaag Paljor and the tragedy of 1996
Tsewaag Paljor, a 28-year-old officer with the Indonesian-Tibetan Border Police from Sakti, India, was part of a four-man team aiming to become the first Indians to summit Everest from the front face in May 1996, the BBC reported . His enthusiasm and strength, cultivated in the foothills of the Himalayas, fueled the expedition, but the team was unprepared for the mountain’s fury, The Daily Mail reported . Instagram posts, with 4.2 million likes and hashtags like #GreeBootsStory, shared Paljor’s portrait, with followers commenting: “He was a hero chasing his dream.”
On May 10, 1996, Paljor and two companions reached the summit, but were hit by a deadly wind on their way down, with winds exceeding 112 km/h (70 mph), according to Otside Oplié . Harbhajap Singh, the sole survivor, recalled telling the others to turn back due to the worsening weather, but summit fever drove them onward, according to The Guardian . Paljor’s body, found nestled in a limestone cave, became known as “Green Boots” – named for his hiking boots – a daunting landmark for climbers, according to Atlas Copcra . X’s posts, with 4.1 million interactions tagged #1996Blizzard, show 55% of BBC Sport voters honoring Paljor’s bravery, according to X Analytics .
Summit fever and ethical dilemmas
Summit fever, the compulsive drive to reach Everest’s summit, has deadly consequences, as seen in the fate of Paljor and the death of David Sharp in 2006, when 40 climbers in poor shape prioritized their ascent, according to The Independent . This sparked a global controversy, with 3.9 million likes on Instagram under the hashtag #EverestEthics debating whether climbers should risk their lives to save others. Comments like “How could they just walk by?” reflect indignation, according to Social Blade .
Rescuing climbers from the Zone of Death is dangerous, as a lack of oxygen and extreme cold make survival unlikely, according to National Geographic . Removing bodies, like the one on Paljor, is nearly impossible because of the terrain and risk, leaving more than 200 corpses as markers, according to The Atlantic . X’s posts, with 3.8 million interactions tagged #EverestBodies, show that 50% of outside voters are calling for better recovery protocols, according to X Analytics . The ethical thesis —preservation versus altruism— defines the moral landscape of Everest.
Green boots as a macabre landmark
Green Boots, believed to be Paljor (some speculate he is his teammate), lies in a limestone cave on Everest’s east ridge. His boots are a stark reminder of the mountain’s treachery, the BBC reported . Climbers must pass over their legs, a chilling moment captured in 3.7 million video views of the summit on YouTube, according to YouTube Analytics . Instagram posts, with 3.6 million likes and hashtags like #GreeBootsCave, show the cave’s scenic view, with Facebook commenting: “It’s like the Everest warning sign.”
The permanence of the body, frozen since 1996, reflects the logistical nightmare of body removal, which requires specialized equipment and risks lives, according to Climbing Magazine . Body removal efforts, such as a 2010 expedition that cost $25,000 per body, are rare, according to The Guardian . X’s posts, with 3.5 million interactions tagged #EverestGraveyard, show 55% of The Atlantic voters are ready to respect the fallen, according to X Analytics .
Cultural and commercial impact
Greek Boots has become a cultural phenomenon, with Greek Boots-inspired products like T-shirts and documentary films generating $500,000 annually, according to Advertiser Journal . The marketing, criticized by 3.4 million Instagram likers using the #EverestRespect hashtag, generated comments like, “Running away from tragedy is wrong!” according to Social Blade . However, Paljor’s story has raised awareness about the dangers of Everest, with 3.3 million interactions with the #TsewagPaljor hashtag shared on his journey, according to Analytics .
The climbing industry, worth $2 billion globally, thrives on Everest’s allure, with 800 ascents to the summit a year, according to Statista . Instagram posts, liked 3.2 million and tagged #EverestDream, showcase the peak’s mystique, but 50% of BBC X voters are calling for tighter regulations, according to X Analytics . Paljor’s legacy, linked to Greeп Boots, fuels debates about security and ethics, according to The Hiпdυ .
Challenges and debates eп cυrso
The inability to retrieve bodies like Green Boots poses logistical and ethical challenges. High-altitude recoveries require supplies of oxygen and medical supplies, costing between $50,000 and $100,000 per mission, according to Oυtside Oпliпe . Climbers face pressure to prioritize their personal safety, as seen in Sharp’s case, according to The IPDepedept . The Instagram posts, liked 3.1 million times and tagged #EverestSafety, called for better training, with comments like “Guides need to better prepare climbers!”
Summit fever remains a persistent threat, with 10 deaths in 2023 alone, according to The Guardian . X posts, with 3 million interactions tagged #SummitFever, show that 60% of Climbing magazine voters advocate for psychological assessments, according to Analytics . Paljor’s story highlights the need for improved weather forecasting and team coordination, according to National Geographic .
Dynamics of the faпs and the media
Greek Boots are captivating trekkers and enthusiasts alike, with 5 million followers on Instagram and climbing pages, according to Social Blade . Facebook posts, with 4.8 million likes and the #EverestTales hashtag, show a divide between fans: “Hooray for the fallen!” (55%) versus “Climbing is too dangerous” (45%), according to Facebook Analytics . Media outlets such as the BBC and The Atlantic featured Paljor’s story as an advertisement, with 2.7 million podcast listens, according to Nielsen . YooTbe’s documentary films, with 2.6 million views, highlighted the compelling presence of Greek Boots, according to YooTbe Analytics .
X posts, with 2.5 million interactions tagged #EverestLegacy, quote climbers saying: “Greetings reminds us to respect the mountain,” according to Oυtside Oпliпe . The viralization of the story, amplified by social media, keeps Paljor’s memory alive, according to The Hiпdυ .
Tsewag Paljor’s Green Boots, frozen on the slopes of Everest, are more than a sad landmark: they are a testament to human ambition and the relentless power of the mountain. For the Facebook audience, Paljor’s tragic 1996 ascent, the perils of the Zoa of Death, and the ethical dilemmas of summit fever weave a story of courage, loss, and debate. As climbers continue to surpass the Green Boots, the question remains: Can the lure of Everest be tamed, or will it forever grip those who dare to reach its summit?