We are attempting to resolve the environmental impact of human waste in the region of Mt. Everest base camp by using off the shelf low technology solutions and systems. These solutions will provide direct and indirect benefits to the people of the Mt Everest region. Our designs must recognize the extreme environment, remote location and lack of infrastructure to the remote villages in the vicinity of Mt. Everest.
Near Term Goal
The near term goal is to construct a biogas digester which will operate at the lower temperatures at Gorak Shep (elevation 5,180 meters/17,000 feet) and evaluate its effectiveness in converting human waste from Mt. Everest into methane gas and fertilizer for crops for the local community.
Long Term Goal
The long-term goal is to utilize 100% of the human waste from the base camps of Mt. Everest: surrounding peaks and trekkers to Gorak Shep in an anaerobic digester system to produce methane gas. Secondly, to replicate the system in other high altitude locations thereby improving the lives of the people and the environment by reducing pollution, deforestation, health risks and costs to obtain alternate fuel sources.
