580 Hikers Rescued Near Mount Everest After Severe Blizzard
Nearly 600 hikers stranded by heavy snowfall near Mount Everest in Tibet have been brought to safety, Chinese state media reported today.
The trekkers, along with approximately 300 local guides, yak handlers, and support staff, arrived in the township of Qudang and surrounding areas, according to reports. A final group of around 10 hikers and their rescue team are en route to Qudang after reaching a rendezvous point equipped with heating, oxygen, and emergency supplies. The group became trapped at altitudes exceeding 4,900 meters (16,000 feet) when a blizzard blocked access along Everest’s eastern slopes over the weekend, coinciding with China’s Golden Week holiday – a peak season for tourism.
The sudden and intense snowfall caught guides off guard, impacting hikers on the Karma Valley trail, a scenic route to Everest base camp. One experienced trekker, who has visited the Himalayas more than a dozen times, stated they had “never experienced weather like this.” Dong Shuchang, 27, reported that several members of his group of 20 exhibited symptoms of hypothermia, while Chen Geshuang described the snow depth as approximately one meter during their descent on Sunday. “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.” This incident highlights the unpredictable nature of mountain weather, even during typically favorable conditions. For information on mountain safety, see resources from the REI Co-op.
Rescue efforts involved police, firefighters, and hundreds of local Tibetan volunteers. Reports also indicate one hiker died of hypothermia and altitude sickness in Qinghai province, western China, with 137 others evacuated, while neighboring Nepal has experienced severe flooding and landslides resulting in over 50 fatalities. You can find more information about disaster relief efforts through the American Red Cross.
Authorities continue to monitor conditions and provide assistance to those affected, and are assessing the impact of the severe weather on the region’s tourism infrastructure.
