Hundreds of hikers stranded by a blizzard near the eastern face of Mount Everest in Tibet have been safely guided back by rescuers, as heavy snow and rain hit the Himalayas, according to Chinese state media reports. Around 350 trekkers made it to a small township, and contact was established with the remaining 200-plus trekkers, as per CCTV.
During the eight-day National Day holiday in China, hundreds of visitors flocked to the remote Karma Valley, which leads to Everest’s eastern Kangshung face. This valley, explored by Western travelers a century ago, is known for its lush vegetation and untouched alpine forests nourished by meltwaters from the Kangshung glacier.
A South Korean trekker lost his life in Nepal after climbing the 6,476-meter Mera Peak on Saturday. The rescue helicopter recovered his body on Monday while his guide was rescued.
The sudden harsh weather conditions posed challenges for trekkers near the north face of Everest. A trekking team member shared that the uncharacteristically wet and cold weather increased the risk of hypothermia, catching them off guard.
Following a harrowing experience of heavy snowfall, thunder, and lightning, a trekking party safely descended from the mountains and was greeted warmly by villagers. The villagers provided comfort and warmth to the trekkers after their ordeal.
Local villagers and rescue teams worked tirelessly to clear snow, allowing access to nearly 1,000 trapped individuals in the area, reported Jimu News. Meanwhile, heavy snowfall in the Karma Valley, situated at an average elevation of 4,200 meters (13,800 feet), commenced on Friday evening and continued through Saturday.
Despite facing extreme conditions, most of the expedition party managed to survive, although some suffered from hypothermia due to freezing temperatures. Ticket sales and access to the entire Everest Scenic Area were halted, while landslides and floods in Nepal claimed the lives of at least 47 people, with additional individuals reported missing or injured.