For nearly 30 years, the body known as “Green Boots” has remained frozen at around 8,500 meters on Mount Everest’s north side, becoming a grim landmark for climbers approaching the summit. The body, long believed to be Indian climber Tsewang Paljor, is now thought by Indian authorities to belong to Dorje Morup, an Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) climber who died during a historic 1996 Indian Everest expedition.
Morup and two teammates reached Everest’s summit on 10 May 1996, but all three died while descending after a severe snowstorm. His family never saw his body and struggled for decades to accept his death. Now, the ITBP is seeking a highly experienced high-altitude recovery team to bring his remains down from the dangerous death zone.
The recovery could cost $40,000–$80,000 or more and requires a large team because the terrain is extremely steep, cold, and dangerous. Once recovered, the body will undergo DNA testing before being returned to Morup’s family in Ladakh.
For his family, bringing him home would finally provide closure after three decades. His son hopes to give him a proper funeral and preserve the Green Boots as a symbol of his father's courage and legacy.
