More than 350 trekkers escape blizzard-hit Everest, hundreds still stranded

More than 350 people were stranded on the Tibetan side of Mount Everest as a result of blizzard-like conditions, according to Chinese state media reports on Sunday.

More than 500 people were surprised when unusually heavy snow and rain slammed against them on their way to Tibet’s Tingri region, which is known for its steepest mountain, in total.

According to CCTV, those who were saved on Sunday were transported to the Tibetan side of the peak’s small township, Qudang.

According to CCTV, some 200 trekkers who were still stranded in choppy conditions as of Sunday were scheduled to arrive in Qudang in stages under the guidance and assistance of rescuers organized by the local government.

No indications were made in the CCTV report regarding the restitution of the trekking party accompanied by local guides or support personnel. Additionally, it was not known whether trekkers in Tibet’s vicinity of Everest’s north face had been affected.

The valley’s average elevation of 4,200 meters (13,800 feet) was slushy on Friday night and continued to do so throughout Saturday.

According to notices posted on the local Tingri County Tourism Company’s official WeChat accounts, ticket sales and entry to the entire Everest Scenic Area were suspended from late Saturday.

“Hyperthermia was a real risk,” said Chen Geshuang, who made it to Qudang as part of an 18-person trekking team. It was so wet and cold in the mountains.

“This year’s weather is not typical.” The guide claimed that October was the first time he had encountered such conditions. And it occurred far too suddenly, Chen told the Reuters news agency.

As climate change causes more frequent and dramatic climate shifts in the Himalayas, which poses a threat to climbers and the Sherpa communities that live there, Sherpa communities have been adapting to more erratic conditions.

Nepal’s Tourism Board stated in a situation update that “clear skies in Kathmandu and many other parts of Nepal” were being conducted after the weather “significantly” improved.

At least 47 people have been killed in Nepal’s flash floods and landslides since Friday, according to the update.

In the eastern Ilam district, which borders India, 35 people died from landslides in separate incidents. Three people were killed when lightning struck other locations in the nation, including nine who had been swept away by floodwaters.