"It Was Impossible to Escape": Rescuers Race to Evacuate Hundreds After Rare Mount Everest Blizzard

A sudden and unusually powerful blizzard struck Mount Everest over the weekend, trapping hundreds of trekkers on the mountain's eastern face and triggering a massive rescue operation. The storm began on Friday, October 3, and continued through Saturday, dumping more than a meter of snow across the Himalayas and catching climbers off guard during what is typically a stable weather period.

Unexpected Blizzard Strikes Everest at Peak Trekking Season

At the peak of the storm, roughly 550 trekkers were left stranded in Tibet's remote Karma Valley, near the Kangshung Face of Everest. Initial reports suggested up to 1,000 people were affected, as visitors flocked to the region during China's eight-day Golden Week holiday. The timing of the storm, combined with the number of hikers on the mountain, created a perilous situation few anticipated.

Evacuations Enter Final Stretch