A Long-Awaited Homecoming
The remains of the climber historically known as “Green Boots,” who perished on Mount Everest during a catastrophic 1996 blizzard, are set to be recovered and repatriated to India. Following confirmation of his identity as 47-year-old Dorje Morup through recent DNA testing conducted by the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), a government-led mission is being organized to retrieve the body from the high-altitude slopes of the mountain’s Tibet side before October.
For three decades, the identity of the climber, whose bright green boots made him a grim landmark for other mountaineers, remained a subject of speculation. For his widow, 75-year-old Konchak Yangskit, the identification marks the end of a long period of uncertainty. “My heart refused to believe he had died,” Yangskit told the media, noting that without seeing his remains, she had lived in the persistent hope of his return.
The 1996 Everest Tragedy
Morup was part of an Indian expedition attempting to reach the summit from the northern, Chinese-controlled side of Everest—a route significantly more perilous than the more common southern approach from Nepal. During the May 1996 storm, Morup and two other team members, Tsewang Smanla and Tsewang Paljor, were separated from the rest of the group. While three members managed to retreat, Morup and his companions were lost to the blizzard.
For years, many believed the body known as “Green Boots” belonged to Tsewang Paljor. However, the recent ITBP investigation and forensic analysis have corrected this historical record, confirming the remains are those of Morup. In 2014, the body was moved from the primary climbing path, but it remains at an altitude of approximately 8,000 meters, presenting significant logistical challenges for any retrieval team.
Logistical and Emotional Stakes
The ITBP has issued a formal government tender to secure a specialized high-altitude recovery team. The mission is considered exceptionally dangerous due to the extreme terrain, oxygen-depleted environment, and the necessity of completing the work before the onset of more severe winter weather in October. For Yangskit, who still resides in the Ladakh region, the recovery is not merely a logistical operation but a necessary step to provide closure to her family. “When he comes home, I will ask him: ‘Where were you all these years?’” she said.