Everest Hikers Caught in Unexpected blizzard, massive Rescue Operation Underway
TIBET, CHINA – Hundreds of trekkers on teh northern side of Mount Everest were caught off guard by a sudden and severe snowstorm over the weekend, triggering a large-scale rescue effort that continues today. The unexpected blizzard, described by one hiker as “the most extreme weather” they’ve ever faced, has left at least 200 people stranded despite hundreds already safely evacuated.
The storm,a “violent convective snowstorm” according to Chinese trekker Dong Shuchang who shared his experience on Weibo,rapidly dumped heavy snow on the eastern slope of Everest,reaching levels that nearly covered tents overnight. One trekker on Xiaohongshu recounted a terrifying experience, stating, ”I looked up in the middle of the night and saw that the snow had nearly covered the top… It was the first time I truly felt the fear of being buried alive.”
Groups were forced to repeatedly clear snow from around their tents – one group doing so every 90 minutes - before deciding to descend on Sunday as conditions deteriorated. The situation sparked worry amongst local villagers, with one trekker reporting encountering a guide’s father searching for his son, learning the snow was also heavy in the valleys and cutting off interaction with those on the mountain.
The northern and eastern side of Everest, more accessible for less technical trekking, attracts a high volume of visitors. Photos and videos circulating online depict trekkers navigating waist-high snowdrifts and buried tents.Despite treacherous, slippery conditions – with trekkers stumbling and falling amidst passing yaks - those who descended have reportedly reached safety.
By Sunday afternoon, approximately 350 people had reached qudang, a town 30 miles from the Tibet-side base camp, “in good health,” according to state media. While 200 remain stranded,authorities report they have been contacted,and hundreds of rescuers have been deployed to assist with evacuation and clear blocked pathways.
Details regarding the rescue operation has been limited, with little official reporting available on Monday. It remains unclear if the weather has impacted anyone on the northern side of Everest within Tibet, a region subject to tight government control and restricted journalistic access. The storm also appears to have disrupted local communications, with reports of power outages in Qudang and difficulties reaching local businesses.
Despite October typically offering clear and mild weather,Chen Geshuang,a member of a trekking group that reached Qudang,stated the conditions were “not normal,” with their guide reporting never having encountered such weather in October. The local tourism authority suspended ticket sales and entry to the Everest Scenic Area on Saturday.
The extreme weather is not limited to the Everest region. Neighboring Nepal has been hit by heavy rains causing landslides and flash floods, resulting in at least 47 deaths as Friday and widespread infrastructure damage.
Reporting contributed by Lillian yang, Jason Tzu kuan Lu, and Reuters.
