Mount Everest set for environmental analysis

Parts of the Himalayas - including Mount Everest - have become the subject of environmental analysis, as a US-funded project aims to assess the damage caused by climate change.

The mission has been launched after a number of experts and people who have explored the area raised concerns over changes brought about by global warming.

Indeed, John All of the University of Western Kentucky told the Guardian that he found parts of the world's tallest mountain completely different to how they were described by explorers who had previously scaled the peak.

"When I climbed Mount Everest last year I climbed the majority of ice without crampons because there was so much bare rock," he remarked.

A number of people have reported that the ice on parts of the approach route to the famous landmark has now melted and this could even be the case up to the 8,000 metre mark.

The mountain stands at more than 8,850 metres and was named after Briton Sir George Everest in 1865.

Posted by Lauren Steadman