After a severe blizzard hit a group of trekkers near Mount Everest’s eastern face in Tibet, Chinese state media reported that rescuers successfully guided hundreds of stranded trekkers to safety. The Himalayas experienced unusually heavy snow and rainfall during this time.
By Sunday, 350 trekkers had made it to the small township of Qudang, with the remaining 200-plus trekkers being reached by rescuers, as per a report by CCTV. The valley of Karma, leading to Everest’s eastern Kangshung face, saw a high number of visitors due to China’s eight-day National Day holiday.
Chen Geshuang, part of an 18-member trekking team that reached Qudang, described the challenging conditions faced by the group. The unexpected weather conditions, including heavy snowfall, thunder, and lightning, posed a real risk of hypothermia.
Rescue efforts involved hundreds of local villagers and teams to clear snow blocking the area’s access. The remaining trekkers are expected to arrive in Qudang gradually with the help of organized rescuers from the local government.
One survivor, Eric Wen, shared his experience of continuous snowfall and the challenges faced by his group during the treacherous weather conditions. Despite the ordeal, the expedition party, including guides and support staff, managed to navigate the situation relatively unscathed.
The Karma valley, known for its lush vegetation and untouched alpine forests, contrasts with Everest’s arid north face. While the situation near the north face remained unclear, the area usually attracts many tourists in October, a peak season when skies typically clear after the Indian monsoon.
Ticket sales and access to the entire Everest Scenic Area were halted following the severe weather conditions. Meanwhile, in Nepal, heavy rains caused landslides and flash floods, resulting in casualties and infrastructure damage.