Trekkers on Mount Everest are recounting harrowing experiences after an unexpected snowstorm stranded hundreds during a popular holiday period, triggering a major rescue operation.
Approximately 350 individuals have successfully descended from the mountain, though rescue teams continue working to reach at least 200 others who remain stranded in the Everest Scenic Area on the Tibetan side of the mountain.
The incident occurred during China’s Golden Week holiday when crowds of tourists had traveled to the region. Unusually heavy snowfall struck the area over Friday and Saturday nights, trapping visitors at campsites situated above 4,900 meters in elevation.
“The conditions were unlike anything I’ve encountered in all my years of hiking,” stated one trekker, describing a severe snowstorm on Everest’s eastern slope. “I woke during the night to find snow nearly covering our tent entirely.”
Another hiker reported their group had been too frightened to sleep as snow rapidly accumulated around their tents, requiring them to clear the buildup every hour and a half. The deteriorating weather conditions forced them to begin their descent on Sunday.
Photographs and videos circulating online show tents completely buried in snow and lines of trekkers navigating through waist-deep snowdrifts during their descent.
“The trail was incredibly slippery with deep snow,” noted one trekker. “People were falling frequently, and we even encountered yaks struggling in the conditions.”
By Sunday afternoon, approximately 350 people had reached Qudang, a town located about 30 miles from Everest’s Tibetan base camp, all reported to be in good condition.
Hundreds of rescue personnel have been deployed to assist those still stranded and clear blocked pathways. The local tourism authority has suspended ticket sales and entry to the Everest Scenic Area since Saturday.
October typically brings clear, mild weather to the region, making it a popular trekking season. However, travelers reported this year’s conditions were highly unusual, with guides noting they had never experienced such severe weather during this period.
The storm also affected neighboring regions, with heavy rains in Nepal triggering landslides and flash floods that have blocked roads, destroyed bridges, and resulted in numerous casualties.
