A sudden blizzard on Mount Everest left more than 200 hikers stranded over the weekend, triggering a massive Everest rescue operation. Chinese authorities and local teams rushed to evacuate trekkers from the mountain’s eastern slope after unusually heavy snowfall buried campsites and blocked routes.
Massive Rescue Effort Underway
Chinese state media reported that around 350 hikers had already reached safety in the small township of Qudang. Rescue teams remain in contact with more than 200 others still on the mountain. Officials said all stranded hikers would “gradually arrive at the rendezvous point” as weather conditions stabilize.
Despite the chaos, no casualties have been reported so far. Local media credited the rapid response of rescue teams and nearby villagers who worked tirelessly to clear snow-blocked roads.
Blizzard Hits Without Warning
The storm began late Friday in Tibet’s Gama Valley, located in Tingri County on Everest’s eastern side. What started as rain quickly turned into sleet and then a blizzard that buried tents under a meter of snow.
Astrophotographer Chen Geshuang, who was hiking with a group, described the ordeal as terrifying. “About one-third into the trek, it began to rain and the rain kept getting heavier,” she told NBC News. “Later, it turned into sleet, and eventually a full-on blizzard.”
By Saturday night, lightning flashed almost every minute, and temperatures dropped sharply. Chen said some hikers began showing signs of mild hypothermia and cold stress. “It was a nerve-wracking night,” she recalled. “When we woke up, the snow reached our thighs.”
Stranded in Harsh Conditions
Many trekkers were trapped at altitudes near 16,000 feet. With visibility near zero, groups struggled to navigate the mountain’s narrow paths. Videos shared online showed hikers digging snow out of their tents and trudging through deep drifts in single-file lines.
Rescue teams deployed snow-clearing equipment to open blocked mountain roads. Helicopters were also on standby but faced difficulty taking off due to poor visibility and high winds.
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Heavy Snow Disrupts Tourism
The rare and intense snowfall disrupted the plans of hundreds of tourists visiting Tibet during China’s weeklong national holiday. More than 299 million people were expected to travel across the country for the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day celebrations.
Authorities suspended ticket sales and closed the Everest Scenic Area on Saturday evening. Official WeChat notices from the Tingri County Tourism Company confirmed that access to the area would remain restricted until conditions improved.
Eyewitness Accounts Reveal Chaos
Hikers caught in the storm described scenes of confusion and fear. “The snow kept falling harder, and soon our campsite was buried,” one trekker shared on social media. “We tried to stay calm, but the wind was howling all night.”
Chen’s group decided to retreat down the mountain on Sunday morning. They managed to reach the foot of Everest by evening, exhausted but relieved. “We were lucky to get out when we did,” Chen said. “Some groups stayed longer and had to be rescued.”
Regional Impact and Wider Damage
The severe weather extended beyond Tibet. In neighboring Nepal, heavy rain caused deadly landslides and floods, killing at least 44 people. Rescue operations are ongoing in several Nepalese districts as authorities struggle to reach remote mountain communities.
Experts say the recent storm is part of a broader pattern of unusual weather across the Himalayas. Unseasonal rainfall and sudden snowstorms have become more frequent, raising safety concerns for climbers and trekkers in both Tibet and Nepal.
Everest’s Challenging Terrain
Mount Everest, known in China as Mount Qomolangma, towers 29,000 feet above sea level and straddles the border between Tibet and Nepal. Climbers from both sides attempt to reach its summit, though the Tibetan route is less crowded and more remote.
Unlike Nepal’s heavily commercialized southern slope, the northern side has limited infrastructure and fewer emergency shelters. That remoteness made rescue operations during the blizzard more difficult and time-consuming.
Lessons from the Crisis
Officials are reviewing safety protocols for future trekking seasons. Authorities may tighten rules for tourist groups, requiring better preparation, communication equipment, and weather monitoring before granting hiking permits.
Local tourism operators said the blizzard served as a reminder of the mountain’s unpredictable nature. “Even during organized treks, Everest can turn dangerous in hours,” one official said. “We must prioritize early warnings and response systems.”
Hope Amid the Snow
By Monday evening, weather conditions began to improve, allowing rescue teams to reach more stranded hikers. Dozens have since been guided safely down the mountain. Videos shared online show smiling, exhausted trekkers wrapped in blankets, thanking their rescuers.
For many, the ordeal was a sobering reminder of Everest’s power. “We came for beauty and adventure,” Chen said, “but nature reminded us who’s in charge.”
As the Everest rescue continues, authorities remain focused on bringing every stranded hiker to safety — a mission that underscores both the dangers and the resilience found on the world’s highest peak.
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