Nepal's army has recovered five bodies from Mount Everest as melting snow has revealed remains of some of the 300 climbers who have died trying to summit the peak.

The bodies were recently removed from the world's tallest peak, including one skeleton and a corpse that took 11 hours to free as it was encased in ice up to the head, according to the Independent.

An army officer involved in the operation blames global warming for thinning snow levels. That has revealed bodies and trash on the peak.

In more recent years, the trek up the mountain has garnered controversy due to overcrowding concerns.

At least eight people have lost their lives on Everest this year. 18 people died last year, the highest number ever recorded.

In May, an overhanging ice formation-collapsed, causing British gym owner Dan Paterson and his sherpa guide to disappear after falling from a great height.