Drones Are Delivering Oxygen on Everest — Here’s Why It Matters for the Rest of Us
Imagine you're deep in the backcountry — out of reach, off-grid, low on supplies — and a drone buzzes overhead with exactly what you need: a fresh oxygen canister, a med kit, or just the extra fuel you forgot to pack.
That’s not science fiction anymore. On Mount Everest, drones are already saving lives.
And while most of us aren't climbing to 8,848 meters, this breakthrough has big implications for overlanders, bikepackers, and everyday explorers who push into the wild.
Let’s take a look at how drone-delivered oxygen is changing Everest — and how it might change the way we all adventure.
🛡️ High-Altitude Lifesaver: Drones in the Death Zone
In 2024, a Nepalese company successfully flew drones carrying oxygen canisters to Camp IV, just shy of Everest’s summit. These drones operated in freezing winds with 15 kg payloads — a historic first.
This means stranded climbers can now receive emergency oxygen without waiting for a Sherpa or helicopter — especially critical in the “Death Zone,” where altitude sickness and exhaustion can be fatal.
🎒 Less Risk for Sherpas, More Human-Centered Expeditions
Traditionally, Sherpas and porters haul oxygen bottles and gear to high camps. It’s dangerous, exhausting work.
With drone-based supply drops, they can now focus more on guiding, rescue preparation, and decision-making — rather than serving purely as load-bearers. It’s a shift toward more ethical, human-centered expeditions.
🌱 A More Sustainable Way to Climb
Fewer porter trips and helicopter flights mean less waste, reduced emissions, and fewer discarded oxygen canisters on the mountain.
Drone resupply can also improve gear efficiency and open the door to cleaner climbing practices — something we can all get behind, whether we’re hiking, overlanding, or bikepacking.
🚁 So... What About the Legal Stuff?
Mount Everest spans three countries, and drone rules vary by region. Drone regulations on Everest vary significantly depending on which country you're climbing from. On the Nepalese side, drones are permitted with special permits, and licensed operators are already delivering oxygen canisters with government backing. However, recreational drone use still requires approval from the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN). On the Chinese (Tibetan) side, drone use is effectively banned — no civilian flights are allowed without strict military-level clearance, making drone-assisted climbing virtually impossible. Meanwhile, the Indian side — which is rarely used for Everest ascents — allows drones with permits. Regulations are governed by India’s DGCA, and while they are strict, licensed operators may be able to navigate the process for legal flights.
🧭 What This Means for Weekend Warriors Like Us
You may not be scaling Everest, but imagine what this drone tech could do for real-life adventurers like us:
Drop gear or medical kits at a remote camp
Assist in backcountry search and rescue
Scout fire roads or terrain ahead
Deliver water or fuel in remote overland situations
At Side Quest Overland, we believe in embracing smart, ethical tech that supports adventure — not replaces it.
❓ Is This Cheating? A Thought on Pure Adventure
Some climbers argue drone-delivered oxygen is "cheating" — that it waters down the rawness of Everest, the same way GPS "ruined" navigation or insulated jackets "softened" survival.
We don’t buy it.
Adventure has always evolved. From sextants to sat phones, we’ve used tools to go farther, safer, and deeper into the wild. The goal isn’t to suffer — it’s to challenge yourself with what you have.
So is drone delivery cheating? Not if it’s used with intention. Not if it keeps a porter off a dangerous slope, or helps a parent bring their kids back safely from the trail.
At the end of the day, it’s not the absence of tech that defines adventure — it’s the presence of heart, grit, and the will to explore.
🔮 Final Thought
Mount Everest has always tested the limits of human endurance. But with high-altitude drone delivery and backcountry rescue drones now part of the landscape, the future of exploration is no longer just about how far you can go — it’s about how smartly and sustainably you can get there.
And if drones can fly oxygen to the roof of the world, they might just carry your spare fuel to camp someday soon.
A small drone flies high above the snowy peaks.
