A total of 580 hikers stranded by severe weather conditions near Mount Everest have been successfully guided to safety in Tibet, as reported by Chinese state media. The trekkers, who were accompanied by 300 local guides, yak handlers, and other support personnel, have arrived in the township of Qudang and its surrounding regions.
Rescue efforts continue amidst harsh conditions
While most of the hikers have reached safety, a final group of around 10 individuals, along with rescue workers, is still en route to Qudang. They have successfully reached a designated rendezvous point equipped with heating supplies, oxygen, and other essential emergency resources.
The tourists found themselves trapped at altitudes exceeding 4,900 meters (16,000 feet) due to substantial snowfall that obstructed their ascent along Everest’s eastern slopes over the past weekend. This blizzard coincided with China’s eight-day Golden Week holiday, traditionally a peak period for local tourism.
October typically sees clear skies and mild temperatures, making it a preferred month for hiking in the Mount Everest region. Many hikers chose the Karma Valley trail, a scenic yet lesser-known route leading to the base of Everest, which offers stunning views of the world’s tallest peak.
The heavy snowfall commenced on Friday evening and intensified throughout the weekend, catching many mountain guides unprepared. A trekker with extensive experience in the Himalayas remarked, “I had never experienced weather like this,” illustrating the severity of the conditions.
“All of us are experienced hikers,” Ms Chen said. “But this blizzard was still extremely difficult to deal with. I was so lucky to get out.”
As the rescue efforts unfolded, police, firefighters, and numerous local Tibetan volunteers were mobilized to assist those in distress. One woman recounted her husband’s harrowing experience trapped in the storm, where he struggled to sleep in his tent due to fears of being buried by snow.
Eric Wen, a hiker in another group, reported that despite being adequately dressed, three members suffered from hypothermia. He explained that the snowfall was relentless, requiring his group to clear snow every ten minutes to prevent their tents from collapsing.
Tragic incidents amidst the rescue operations
In a tragic development, one hiker in a separate mountainous region of Qinghai province in western China lost their life due to hypothermia and altitude sickness, while 137 others were evacuated, as noted by CCTV.
Additionally, neighboring Nepal has faced severe weather challenges, with torrential rains leading to catastrophic flooding and landslides that have claimed more than 50 lives.