Rescue teams have successfully reached the remaining 200 hikers stranded at an altitude of 16,000ft on Mount Everest following severe weather conditions that hit the world’s tallest peak over the weekend. The adverse weather, characterized by heavy snow and rain, led to the entrapment of numerous trekkers on the isolated climb. Around 350 individuals have already been brought to safety as the weather improved, with the rescue mission expected to conclude by Tuesday.
Stranded hikers have been evacuated to the Tibetan town of Qudang, approximately 30 miles away from the Everest base camp. A hiker who endured the blizzard recounted the perilous circumstances faced by those marooned on the mountain before rescuers arrived. The individual highlighted the wet and cold conditions, emphasizing the real threat of hypothermia due to the abnormal weather patterns experienced this year.
Another witness shared the challenges faced during the blizzard, underscoring the difficulty even for experienced hikers. Despite wearing appropriate gear, two men and a woman succumbed to hypothermia. The continuous rain and snowfall made visibility of Everest impossible, requiring frequent snow clearance to ensure safety within the camp.
In the Karma Valley, where hikers were stranded, heavy snowfall disrupted a 12-day trek to the summit, coinciding with a broader storm affecting the Himalayan region. This storm triggered landslides and floods in Nepal, resulting in the unfortunate loss of 40 lives away from Everest.
The Karma Valley, a less-traveled route to the Everest base camp, demands a significant level of mountaineering expertise and physical fitness from trekkers. The utilization of guides and strict regulations characterize this trail, similar to other paths leading to the summit.
While initial reports suggested 1,000 climbers were stranded, Chinese state media confirmed that 350 individuals had been rescued, leaving 200 still awaiting evacuation. Mount Everest remains a popular destination, attracting a substantial number of visitors annually, with the majority not aiming to reach the summit. In 2024, the area welcomed approximately 540,200 visitors, with an estimated 1,000 individuals successfully summiting the peak last year.
