All trekkers stranded by a violent weekend blizzard on the Tibetan slopes of Mount Everest have been brought to safety, Chinese authorities have confirmed, ending a massive rescue operation in the remote Karma Valley that at one point had nearly 1,000 people trapped in deep snow and freezing temperatures.
What happened
Heavy snowfall began on Friday evening and intensified across the weekend in the Karma Valley, a little-known route to Everest's eastern Kangshung face at altitudes averaging around 4,200 metres, with campsites at about 4,900 metres. Tents collapsed under the weight of the snow, trails were buried and temperatures plummeted. Hundreds of visitors had flocked to the remote valley during China's eight-day National Day holiday, and many were caught off guard. "The weather this year is not normal," one rescued trekker told state media. "It happened all too suddenly." Tibet's Blue Sky Rescue team reported that several hikers were already suffering from hypothermia when distress calls were received.
The rescue effort
Hundreds of local villagers, rescue personnel and yak herders were mobilised to clear snow blocking access routes. By Sunday, about 350 trekkers had been guided to the small township of Qudang, according to state broadcaster CCTV, with contact established with the rest. By Tuesday evening, Chinese state media reported that more than 800 people, including trekkers, guides and support staff, had been evacuated to nearby towns, with the remainder guided down in stages. In all, around 580 trekkers and more than 300 local guides, yak herders and support workers were brought to safety. Authorities suspended ticket sales and entry to the Everest Scenic Area as the operation continued.
One death reported
Xinhua reported on Monday that one hiker was killed in the snowstorm, with the death attributed to hypothermia and altitude sickness. Separately, authorities in neighbouring Nepal reported deadly floods and landslides across the Himalayas over the same period. The incident is among the largest high-altitude rescue operations in the region's recent history.
Sources:
Hundreds of trekkers escape from blizzard-struck Everest — Citizen Digital (citing CCTV)
All hikers safely evacuated after Mt Everest snowstorm, Chinese authorities confirm — The Eastleigh Voice (citing Xinhua)
What happened
Heavy snowfall began on Friday evening and intensified across the weekend in the Karma Valley, a little-known route to Everest's eastern Kangshung face at altitudes averaging around 4,200 metres, with campsites at about 4,900 metres. Tents collapsed under the weight of the snow, trails were buried and temperatures plummeted. Hundreds of visitors had flocked to the remote valley during China's eight-day National Day holiday, and many were caught off guard. "The weather this year is not normal," one rescued trekker told state media. "It happened all too suddenly." Tibet's Blue Sky Rescue team reported that several hikers were already suffering from hypothermia when distress calls were received.
The rescue effort
Hundreds of local villagers, rescue personnel and yak herders were mobilised to clear snow blocking access routes. By Sunday, about 350 trekkers had been guided to the small township of Qudang, according to state broadcaster CCTV, with contact established with the rest. By Tuesday evening, Chinese state media reported that more than 800 people, including trekkers, guides and support staff, had been evacuated to nearby towns, with the remainder guided down in stages. In all, around 580 trekkers and more than 300 local guides, yak herders and support workers were brought to safety. Authorities suspended ticket sales and entry to the Everest Scenic Area as the operation continued.
One death reported
Xinhua reported on Monday that one hiker was killed in the snowstorm, with the death attributed to hypothermia and altitude sickness. Separately, authorities in neighbouring Nepal reported deadly floods and landslides across the Himalayas over the same period. The incident is among the largest high-altitude rescue operations in the region's recent history.
Sources:
Hundreds of trekkers escape from blizzard-struck Everest — Citizen Digital (citing CCTV)
All hikers safely evacuated after Mt Everest snowstorm, Chinese authorities confirm — The Eastleigh Voice (citing Xinhua)
