Frozen bodies to be retrieved from Everest

It is thought as many as 150 bodies are still on the mountainside, beyond the reach of recovery because of treacherous climbing conditions.

Around 300 people have died along a perilous stretch of the world's highest peak known as the "death zone" because of its lack of oxygen and treacherous terrain.

The Nepali climbers, known as Sherpas, are also aiming to clean up decades-old rubbish from the mountain in what is being called the world's highest ever clean-up campaign.

Sherpas - the indigenous people who live in the Himalayas - are expert guides and porters who are known for their physical stamina and knowledge of the mountains.

Namgyal Sherpa, who will lead the operation - called Extreme Everest Expedition 2010 - has climbed the world's tallest peak seven times.

He said no-one has ever tried to clean above 8,000m (26,246ft) before.

"This is the first time we are cleaning at that height. It is very difficult and dangerous," he explained.

The group will risk the zone's thin air and freezing temperatures to pick up empty oxygen bottles, gas canisters, torn tents, ropes, and utensils lying between the South Col and the 8,850m (29,035ft) summit.

"We'll bring down the body of a Swiss climber who died in the mountain in 2008 and cremate it below the base camp, for which we have got the family's consent," Namgyal added.

The team hope to bring five bodies down from the summit.

New Zealander Sir Edmund Hillary and Nepal's Tenzing Norgay Sherpa were the first to climb Mount Everest's summit in 1953.

More than 4,000 climbers have since scaled the mountain.


/Sky News/