Drone Carries Bottled Oxygen to Mt Everest For First Time

A Chinese company DJI says that for the first time, it has used a drone to safely deliver equipment to climbers on Mt Everest.

The attempts were made in April, the company described the event as a historic milestone in aviation and it highlights the impressive capabilities of DJI FlyCart 30.

DJI said that an unmodified drone carrying 15 kg can make a round trip in 12 minutes.

Drones also offer a faster and safer way to remove trash from the mountain.

“From the end of April, our team embarked on a groundbreaking endeavour to help make cleanup efforts on Everest safer and more efficient,” said Christina Zhang, Senior Corporate Strategy Director at DJI.

“We are thrilled to share that our DJI FlyCart 30 was up to the task. The ability to safely transport equipment, supplies, and waste by drone has the potential to revolutionize Everest mountaineering logistics, facilitate trash cleanup efforts, and improve safety for all involved.” he added.

Carrying equipment including supplies and bottled oxygen up Mt Everest is usually the work of Sherpa guides.

In the last year, more than three Sherpas have died on duty on Mt Everest.

In May 2024 Kenyan mountaineer Cheruiyot Kirui died on Mount Everest while attempting to reach the summit without supplemental oxygen.

Kirui had gone missing together with his Sherpa guide.

The whereabouts of his Sherpa guide are still unknown.

According to the Himalayan Times, rescuers from Seven Summit Treks (SST) discovered the body of Cheruiyot Kirui from a few metres below the summit point of Mount Everest.