A sudden and severe blizzard near Mount Everest has thrown hikers into a desperate fight against hypothermia, prompting ongoing rescue operations. Chinese state media reports indicate that at least one person has tragically died, with over 200 individuals still stranded on the mountain’s eastern slopes in Tibet, a popular destination for trekking during China’s Golden Week holiday.
The snowstorm, which began Friday evening and intensified over the weekend, has led to the deployment of hundreds of villagers and rescue workers. Their primary task is to clear snow that has blocked access to the area, situated at an elevation exceeding 4,900 meters (16,000 feet).
So far, approximately 350 people have been safely guided to the township of Qudang. Authorities are actively maintaining contact with all those still trapped by the weather.
Nature photographer Dong Shuchang, who was on a trek in the Karma Valley, described the harrowing experience. “The lightning and thunderstorms would not stop. The snowfall was so heavy I could hardly sleep,” he recounted. His group, caught in the storm just hours after starting their trek on Saturday, had to turn back from an altitude of 4,600 meters.
“Our windbreakers and raincoats were no match for the snow. We were all drenched,” Mr. Dong shared, noting that several members of his 20-person group exhibited signs of hypothermia. He expressed that in over a dozen previous trips to the Himalayas, he had “never experienced weather like this.” His descent was treacherous, with wet snow and falling sleet making the route slippery, causing him to fall multiple times on the ice.
After spending a night in a generator-powered hotel in Qudang, Mr. Dong’s group emerged to find the storm had finally subsided. “We’re just so relieved to get help and support,” he said.
Chen Geshuang, another hiker from Mr. Dong’s group, described the snow as being about a meter deep when they began their retreat on Sunday. “All of us are experienced hikers,” she stated. “But this blizzard was still extremely difficult to deal with. I was so lucky to get out.” She added, “This year’s snow was exceptional.”
Another woman, speaking anonymously, shared that her husband, stuck in the storm, was slowly making his way down the mountain, but the deep snow cover presented significant challenges. “Even for rescuers, it’s not easy, they need to clear snow to make a path,” she said, expressing her hope for his safe return. She mentioned her husband had confided that he barely slept in his tent, fearing it might be buried by snow.
Eric Wen, a hiker, informed Reuters that three individuals in his group developed hypothermia despite being adequately prepared. They struggled to sleep due to the heavy snowfall, and his group had to constantly clear snow from their tents every ten minutes to prevent collapse.
Typically, October offers clear skies and favorable temperatures in the Mount Everest region, making it a prime hiking season. The Karma Valley trail, a less frequented but scenic route to Everest’s base, is known for its views of the world’s highest peak.
While climbing Mount Everest is an annual undertaking for many, it is recognized as an extremely perilous activity. In recent years, the mountain has faced issues with overcrowding, environmental degradation, and a concerning number of fatal climbing attempts.
The region is currently experiencing extreme weather. Neighboring Nepal has been severely impacted by torrential rains and floods, resulting in at least 47 deaths, blocked roads, and washed-away bridges. Meanwhile, on China’s eastern coast, Typhoon Matmo has made landfall, forcing the evacuation of approximately 150,000 people.