A major blizzard on Mount Everest’s Tibetan flank stranded close to 1,000 climbers and trekkers, and massive rescue efforts are under way under difficult high-altitude conditions. The Mount Everest Blizzard started Friday night and rolled into Saturday night, dumping as much as one meter of heavy snow, destroying tents, and making conditions dangerous for those at altitudes above 4,900 meters (16,000 feet).
Rescue officials and local authorities said that at least 350 trekkers were successfully evacuated to the township of Qudang close by. Yet about 200 people are still stranded on the mountainside, waiting for help in sub-zero conditions. Stranded climbers are said to be suffering from hypothermia, exhaustion, and altitude sickness.
“Conditions are very hazardous,” the spokesperson for the rescue team directing efforts on the Tibetan side said. “There is heavy snowfall and strong winds. Locals, as well as rescue teams with horses and oxen, are working day and night to reach those who are still stranded.”
The blizzard coincides with China’s national holiday, prompting authorities to suspend temporary ticket sales and prohibit entry to the Everest Scenic Area. Officials have called on travelers and climbers to avoid attempting ascents until the conditions improve while exercising extreme caution.
This weather phenomenon reflects the ongoing threat to climbers and travelers in the Himalayas. The world’s highest mountain, Mount Everest, at 8,848.86 meters (29,031.7 feet), is well-known for its erratic weather conditions. Sudden storms continue to be a major threat despite advancements in forecasting and enhanced safety protocols. The condition on the Tibetan side is similarly paralleled by recent instances of extreme weather in Nepal to the south. Heavy rains have triggered landslides and flash floods, killing at least 47 people, mostly in the Ilam district. The local authorities have cautioned of ongoing threats from unstable ground and continued monsoon runoff.
Evacuations are made challenging by the high altitude, where air is thin and mobility is poor. Rescue parties are traveling along steep trails, cutting through snow, and taking local pack animals to carry stranded climbers to safer areas. Helicopters are being utilized when access is practical, but heavy snows and poor visibility have restricted aerial assistance.
Experts note that blizzards and sudden storms are not uncommon on Everest, especially during transitional weather periods in late September and early October. These conditions can turn a routine trek into a life-threatening ordeal within hours. Climbers are advised to monitor weather forecasts closely and maintain contingency plans for evacuation and survival.
“The priority is getting people down safely,” said a senior official involved in the rescue operations. “The cold is a bigger threat than the storm itself. Hypothermia sets in quickly, and at these altitudes, even minor injuries can become critical.” Authorities on both the Nepalese and Chinese sides of the mountain have again emphasized the need for safety and caution. Most climbers had climbed for the fall trekking season. attracted by the better weather and lower temperatures, without realizing that violent storms can still suddenly hit.
With rescue operations still ongoing, the local government has deployed more teams and equipment, while international mountaineering teams are working with the authorities to account for stranded climbers. The recovery process is expected to last days, considering the remote location and prevailing severe weather. This recent episode highlights the danger that high-altitude climbing poses and the need to heed local advice and weather warnings. As much as Mount Everest is on every adventurer’s wish list around the globe, the 2025 blizzard is a grim reminder of the conditions on the mountain.
