The World's Highest Peak Trekkers Describe 'Severe' Conditions as Massive Operation Persists

Trekkers have recounted encountering "extreme" situations after an unexpected blizzard during one of China's most crowded festive periods stranded numerous of people on Mount Everest, sparking a massive rescue operation.

Evacuation Efforts Underway

Officials in China stated that approximately 350 individuals had made their way down but at least 200 remained stranded at the Everest Scenic Area, situated to the east of the mountain, on the Tibet side of the border.

Large groups of visitors had journeyed to the area for "Golden Week," an week-long holiday period in China. However, Chinese authorities, who administer the Tibetan Autonomous Region, said intense snow had affected the area on Friday and Saturday night, trapping numerous of people at campsites at an elevation of more than 4,900 meters (16,000 feet).

"It was the harshest conditions I've experienced in all my trekking adventures, undoubtedly," Dong Shuchang said on social media, describing a "intense blizzard on the eastern slope" of Everest.

"I looked up in the middle of the night and saw that the snow had nearly buried the top," said a hiker on Xiaohongshu. "It was the initial instance I genuinely experienced the terror of being buried alive."

Personal Accounts

One Chinese trekker said their party had been "too frightened to sleep" on that night as snow quickly piled up around their shelters, compelling them to remove it hourly. They chose to go down on Sunday as the weather deteriorated.

"During the descent, we met our guide’s parent who had searched for him. It was then we discovered the storm was intense in the valley too; villagers, unable to reach their children on the mountain, were extremely worried."

The northern and eastern side of Everest is more accessible than locations on the neighboring side of the border and draws large crowds of visitors for less technical hiking, not requiring ascent of the peak.

Visual Evidence

Images and footage posted online showed tents covered by snow and rows of trekkers moving through deep drifts to descend the mountain.

"The snow was extremely thick, and the path extremely slippery. Trekkers often slipped – some fell, others were bumped by yaks," said one, who added that everyone made it down and were transported by bus.

Latest Developments

By the weekend, approximately 350 individuals had arrived in Qudang, a small town roughly 50 kilometers away from the Tibetan starting point of Everest, "safe and sound," official sources reported.

At least 200 more remained trapped but had been reached, the reports indicated. Local news reported that scores of emergency workers had gone up the mountain to help people and clear snow from blocking the way out.

There was minimal updates or new details about the operation on Monday. Uncertainty remained if the weather had impacted anyone on the north face of Everest, also in Tibet. The area is strictly regulated by the Chinese government, and media entry is limited. The conditions also appears to have have disrupted phone services, with calls to local businesses not connecting. A number of hikers reported power was out in Qudang when they reached the town.

Seasonal Context

Autumn is a peak season for the region, with usually calm and pleasant conditions, but Chen Geshuang, one of 18 participants of a trekking group that made it back to Qudang, said that the climate this year was "not normal."

"Our leader told us he had never encountered conditions like this in the fall. And it occurred all too suddenly."

The local tourism authority said admissions and entry to the Everest Scenic Area were suspended from the weekend.

Regional Impact

Adjacent nations were also hit by extreme weather. Heavy rains caused mudslides and flash floods that have blocked roads, destroyed crossings, and claimed the lives of at least 47 individuals since Friday in the neighboring country.