Hundreds of trekkers are still stranded on Mount Everest after a severe snowstorm swept through the area over the weekend.
Rescue teams have successfully evacuated many other individuals who were previously marooned on the peak. As of Sunday, roughly 350 people had safely descended the mountain to Qudang, a Tibetan town, Chinese state media reported. They were confirmed to have arrived safely by noon local time on Monday.
At that time, local authorities were continuing their relief operations for an additional 200 people who remained stuck in the Everest Scenic Area, located on the Tibetan side of the border.
Nepalese officials stated on Monday that all visitors to Mount Everest in their jurisdiction were safe, and that expeditions towards the Everest Base Camp had recommenced.
A powerful blizzard struck the mountain’s eastern flank in Tibet from Friday night through Saturday, leaving hundreds of individuals at various campsites stranded. Video footage from the area, released by , depicted hikers navigating through a heavy snowstorm and knee-deep snow.
“It was, without question, the most extreme weather I’ve ever encountered in all my hiking experiences,” Dong Shuchang, a Chinese trekker, remarked on Weibo, according to .
The snowstorm unfortunately coincided with China’s eight-day National Day holiday. Many tourists had flocked to the region for the week-long break.
The intensity of the blizzard was atypical for this time of year.
“The mountain conditions were incredibly wet and cold, and hypothermia posed a serious threat,” Chen Geshuang, a member of a trekking group evacuated to Qudang, told . “The weather patterns this year are abnormal. Our guide indicated he had never experienced such conditions in October before, and it developed with alarming suddenness.”
Authorities confirmed on Sunday that they had established communication with the hikers still on the mountain and that these individuals currently had sufficient supplies. Chinese state media reported that the remaining trekkers would reach Qudang in stages, with assistance from rescue personnel.
Tourist locations, including the Mount Everest Scenic Area, have been closed until further notice due to the snowy and icy conditions, officials announced on Sunday.
Mount Everest is widely regarded as the . Last year, the number of visitors to the mountain reached an all-time high of over 540,000, according to .
