Scientists are working tirelessly to understand the extent of the problem caused by microplastics, which have been found in every marine habitat examined by researchers from the Ocean Conservancy. These tiny particles are inhaled and consumed by both humans and animals, with blue whales ingesting up to 10 million pieces each day. While most of the plastic is expelled from our bodies, a small portion remains inside us, and its harm is still unknown.
One scientist, Jaramillo, is studying the particles left behind by climbers on Denali who discard items made from plastic. He hopes to better understand the scope of the problem by gathering data on this issue. Jaramillo’s lifelong dream was to climb Denali along the West Buttress Route, and he is excited for this opportunity as he embarks on his journey from Ecuador to New York City to Alaska.