Experiencing the wrath of nature, hikers on Mount Everest are recounting harrowing tales of their time in what they labeled as ‘extreme’ conditions. This unusually fierce snowstorm descended upon the mountain during one of China's busiest holiday periods, causing a significant rescue operation as an estimated hundred trekkers became trapped.
According to officials, around 350 individuals have managed to descend from the mountain; however, reports indicate that approximately 200 individuals remain stranded in the scenic area east of Everest, on the Tibetan side of the border.
The snowstorm struck during the "Golden Week" holiday, an eight-day celebration in China that sees many tourists flocking to popular destinations, including the Everest region. Authorities controlling the Tibetan Autonomous Region disclosed that heavy snowfall commenced on Friday night and persisted into Saturday, effectively immobilizing crowds of trekkers at campsites that sit at altitudes exceeding 4,900 meters (16,000 feet).
One trekker, Dong Shuchang, expressed on Weibo, "This was by far the most extreme weather I’ve ever encountered in my hiking adventures." He described experiencing a "violent convective snowstorm" on Everest’s eastern slope, highlighting the severity of the situation.
Another climber shared a gripping moment, recalling, "I looked up in the middle of the night and saw snow nearly covering the summit. At that moment, I genuinely felt the fear of being buried alive." This fear resonated with yet another hiker, who mentioned that their group was so engulfed by apprehension that they found it hard to sleep on Saturday night, as the snow rapidly accumulated around their tents. To stay safe, they regularly cleared the snow every 90 minutes. Ultimately, they decided to descend the mountain on Sunday as the weather conditions further deteriorated.
On their way down, they encountered their guide's father, who had come looking for him. It was then that they learned of the heavy snowfall affecting the valley below, which left villagers worried as they struggled to reach their children, who were stranded on the mountain.
In contrast to the more demanding trekking routes found on Nepal's side of Everest, the northern and eastern aspects are easier to navigate, drawing a larger crowd seeking less technical climbs, without attempting to summit the peak.
Social media revealed images and videos showing tents completely buried under snow, alongside trekkers trudging through deep drifts that reached up to their waists as they made their way down the mountain. One hiker described the trails as "extremely slippery and deeply covered in snow," making it treacherous for many, with some trekkers stumbling and others even being nudged by passing yaks. Fortunately, everyone managed to descend safely and was later picked up by bus.
By Sunday afternoon, about 350 individuals had safely reached Qudang, a small town located roughly 48 kilometers (30 miles) away from Everest’s Tibetan base camp, in what was reported to be a good state of health. Reports indicated that while at least 200 individuals remained stranded, they had established contact, allowing rescuers to reach them.
The news also stated that hundreds of rescue personnel were dispatched up the mountain to assist the hikers and clear snow blocking their escape routes. However, by Monday, there was minimal official communication about the ongoing rescue operations. The situation on the northern side of Everest, also situated in Tibet, remained unclear, compounded by strict regulations from the Chinese government which limit journalistic access to the region. Local communications appeared disrupted, with calls to businesses failing to connect. Additionally, several trekkers reported power outages in Qudang upon their arrival.
Typically, October heralds favorable trekking weather with clear skies and mild temperatures, but trekker Chen Geshuang—part of one of the 18-member trekking groups that made it back to Qudang—remarked that the weather patterns this year were anything but normal. "The guide mentioned he’d never witnessed such severe conditions in October, and it was all sudden and unexpected," Chen reflected.
Reacting to the storm, the local tourism authority suspended ticket sales and access to the Everest Scenic Area starting Saturday. It's worth noting that neighboring countries also faced severe weather challenges, with heavy rains causing landslides and flash floods that destroyed roads, washed away bridges, and claimed at least 47 lives in Nepal since Friday.
Reporting on this story involved contributions from Lillian Yang, Jason Tzu Kuan Lu, and Reuters.
