Hundreds of hikers stranded on Mount Everest’s remote Tibetan slopes have been rescued after a powerful blizzard left nearly 900 people trapped in high-altitude campsites.
The snowstorm hit on Oct. 3 during China’s eight-day Golden Week holiday, surprising hikers, guides, and yak herders in the valley leading toward Everest’s eastern face.
The group was stranded at over 16,000 feet, according to BBC News. By Sunday, Oct. 5, around 350 trekkers had reached the township of Qudang, while the rest made it down safely by Tuesday, October 7, state media reported.
Some showed signs of hypothermia
Several members of the group reportedly exhibited symptoms of hypothermia as temperatures plunged during the storm.
One hiker told The Guardian that snow piled up so quickly on Saturday night they had to clear their tents every 90 minutes. Another, Chen Geshuang, told BBC News that snow reached about three feet deep during their descent on Sunday.
“All of us are experienced hikers,” she said. “But this blizzard was still extremely difficult to deal with. I was so lucky to get out.”
The eastern side of Everest is a popular hiking route, while the north face draws tourists thanks to its road access. October’s typically stable weather makes it one of the busiest months for visitors, with The New York Times reporting more than 540,000 people visited the Everest region in 2024.
The rescue comes as neighboring Nepal has faced severe weather, with heavy rain and flooding causing landslides and flash floods that left at least 47 people dead, according to reports.
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