A team of mountaineers led by a veteran Sherpa guide has flown to Mt Everest to begin an expedition that aims to clear away tonnes of rubbish left on the world's highest peak.
The expedition team plans to bring down five tonnes of rubbish from the slopes of Everest during the spring climbing season. The team's leader, Apa, has climbed Everest a record 20 times.
Apa's team hopes to bring down four tonnes of rubbish from the lower part of the mountain, and another tonne from the area near the 8850m summit.
The team will get help bringing down the rubbish by members of other expeditions who will be paid 100 rupees ($NZ1.90) for every kilogram of rubbish they carry down.
