We used drones to take photos from the air.
This LIDAR scan shows us the shape of the land.
Bird's‑eye View
To be standing in the shadow of Mount Everest is exciting. I normally work in an office. I work with teams that make maps. I also help collect data by taking “field trips,” like this expedition.
Here, my role was to map the area around Everest Base Camp. I also mapped the Khumbu glacier. It is the highest glacier on Earth.
The team collected data using many tools. We photographed the areas we wanted to map. We used a technology called LIDAR. It uses a beam of light to measure the shape of the land.
We also used drones. A camera on a drone points down at Earth. It takes detailed photos. We put the photos together to create a big picture. We use this photo‑map to see what the area looks like today.
A team member used a drone to help map Everest Base Camp.
The team practiced taking an ice core.
Ice Cores
Our team took ice cores at several locations, too. An ice core is a long piece of ice. It is a cross section of the glacier. We can study the layers of ice. We find out what the climate was like in the past. Snow samples tell us how much pollution is in the snow.
Weather Stations
We can measure the weather, too. Our team set up automatic weather stations, or AWS. We set up five stations. Each will measure temperature, precipitation, pressure, and more. Each will send data via satellites to a computer.
Over time, we can see how the climate is changing. We can also make better weather forecasts, which will make climbing safer.
The team set up a weather station.
Science and Exploration
The weeks passed. We had to wait out snowstorms. We had to watch for avalanches. Yet, we all returned home safe.
With the data we collected and will collect, we can spread the word. Now, people will know what is happening to our high mountains.
LIFE AT
THE EXTREMES
The expedition has collected new data about weather and climate.
To find out more, visit www.natgeo.com/everest
