Hundreds of hikers trapped on Mount Everest were rescued over the weekend, while scores more are still unaccounted for as unseasonably heavy snow and thunder pound the eastern face of the peak, according to local media.
Roughly 350 people were led back to the Qudang township by locals and rescuers while another 200-plus are still stuck on the mountain, but have been in contact with rescuers, CCTV reported Sunday – with no updates on Monday.
Mountaineers and trekkers head towards the Everest base camp from Lobuche in the Solukhumbu district. REUTERS
In this photo taken Oct. 4, 2025 and released by Lingsuiye, villagers with their oxen and horses ascend the mountain during rescue efforts to reach hundreds of hikers trapped by heavy snow at tourist campsites on a slope of Mount Everest in Tibet on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025. APThe Karma valley, a remote part of Tibet that leads to the eastern Kangshung face of Mount Everest, was flooded with extra visitors over the National Day holiday in China, which continues for eight days.
The dreadful conditions quickly overtook even the most veteran groups of hikers. The powerful snowstorm started on Friday and persisted through the weekend, soon followed by pelting rain that obscured any view of the famous peak.
Tibetan firefighters rescue trekkers from Everest. via REUTERS
Rescuers and yaks ascending a snow-covered mountain with hikers in the background. APHundreds of villagers and groups of rescue teams were deployed to move snow that was cutting off access to the area, according to earlier reports from state-run Jimu News.
It’s unclear if any of the support groups brought in are among the accounted for since they journeyed out as the storm worsened over the weekend.
Eric Wen, who was rescued from the eastern face, said that three people in his 18-person party suffered hypothermia even though they were properly dressed for the conditions.
“It was raining and snowing every day, and we did not see Everest at all,” Wen said.
The group packed together in one large tent, but “hardly slept” as they moved in waves to clear the snow every 10 minutes.
Mount Everest stands as the highest mountain in the world. AFP via Getty Images
Tibetan firefighters rescue trekkers from Everest after they were stranded by a blizzard. via REUTERS“Otherwise our tents would have collapsed,” he said.
Wen assured that his party was largely unscathed by the time they were extricated from the site.
Chen Geshuang, another traveler part of an 18-strong trekking team saved from the storm, highlighted hypothermia as a “real risk” many faced regardless of how well prepared they were for the harsh conditions.
“The weather this year is not normal. The guide said he had never encountered such weather in October. And it happened all too suddenly,” she said.
The sudden storm also triggered multiple landslides and flash floods in Nepal, killing at least 47. The same happened in India, where at least nine people were swept away by floodwaters.
The rescued trekkers were welcomed at the valley’s communal hall with refreshments, including hot soup and sweet tea, before boarding buses to take them away.
The Tingri County Tourism Company suspended all ticket sales during the storm, barring any other would-be daredevils from attempting the 29,000-foot climb until further notice.
Hundreds of daring tourists attempt to journey up the world’s highest mountain each year.
More than 300 people have died on the mountain over the years, primarily around the 26,000-foot mark, aptly known as “the dead zone.”
In an attempt to make the trek a little safer for all, Nepal issued new guidelines to dissuade inexperienced climbers from attempting the enticing challenge after years of crowded climbing crews had created bottlenecks and increased risks.
With Post wires.
