Record Everest snowstorm rescue operations completed
Nearly 900 hikers and staff stranded by unprecedented blizzard on Mount Everest's Tibetan side successfully evacuated by rescue teams.
Nearly 900 people stranded by snowstorm
580 hikers evacuated to nearby towns
Over 300 guides and yak herders rescued
Record three feet snowfall in twelve hours
Mount Everest Scenic Area access suspended
43 deaths from Nepal flooding caused
20 northeastern India fatalities reported
Rescue operation completed by October 8
Nearly 900 hikers, guides, and support staff stranded by a record snowstorm on Mount Everest have been safely evacuated after a major rescue operation on the Tibetan side of the mountain. The unprecedented blizzard struck during China’s Golden Week holiday on October 4-5, 2025, creating the most severe October weather conditions recorded in the region.
Historic Blizzard Traps Hundreds
The snowstorm began Friday evening and peaked Saturday with snowfall totaling over three feet, far exceeding any recorded precipitation at this altitude [1]. According to climate scientist Tom Matthews from King’s College London, the storm was “off the charts” compared to the six-year weather station record on Everest [1]. Approximately 900 people became trapped at campsites above 4,900 meters elevation along the Karma Valley trail.
Extreme Weather Conditions
Trekkers reported continuous lightning, thunder, and heavy wet snow that made trails impassable [2]. Nature photographer Dong Shuchang described witnessing hypothermia symptoms among group members and spending sleepless nights clearing snow from tents to prevent collapse [2]. Guide Chen Geshuang noted her local guide had never encountered such severe October conditions in years of mountain experience [3].
Massive Rescue Operation Launched
Chinese authorities coordinated an immediate response involving local villagers, professional guides, and emergency personnel. By Tuesday evening October 8, all trapped individuals had reached safety in the town of Qudang and surrounding areas [4]. The operation faced significant challenges including communication outages and power failures in nearby towns during the evacuation process [5].
Regional Impact and Tourism Effects
Authorities suspended all ticket sales and access to the Mount Everest Scenic Area indefinitely due to dangerous conditions [3]. The rescue statistics reveal the operation’s scope:
580 hikers evacuated to safety
Over 300 guides and yak herders rescued
43 people killed in related Nepal flooding
20 deaths reported in northeastern India
Multiple highways blocked by landslides
The same weather system caused devastating floods and landslides across Nepal and northeastern India, killing at least 63 people and displacing thousands of families [6]. The Mount Everest region typically experiences clear skies and moderate temperatures in October, making this storm particularly unexpected for the peak trekking season [7].
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Completely rewrote article with verified facts from October 8-12, 2025
Updated title to reflect successful evacuation completion
Replaced outdated content with authoritative sources from Scientific American, BBC, NYT, DW, NPR
Restructured article using proper HTML format for WordPress Classic Editor
Added proper citations with unique numbering for each source
Included regional impact data from Nepal and India flooding
Updated key statistics with final rescue numbers
Improved readability with shorter sentences and plain language
— by Kamar Mahmoud
Initial publication.
Correction Record
Accountability
— by Kamar Mahmoud
Updated total stranded from 350-200 to nearly 900 people including hikers, guides, and staff
Corrected evacuation numbers: 580 hikers and over 300 guides and yak herders rescued by October 8
Fixed storm timeline: began Friday evening October 4, peaked Saturday with record 3+ feet snowfall
Added expert analysis from climate scientist Tom Matthews confirming unprecedented weather conditions
Included firsthand trekker accounts of hypothermia symptoms and tent clearing efforts
Corrected regional death toll: 43 Nepal flooding deaths, 20 northeastern India fatalities
Added closure of Mount Everest Scenic Area and suspension of ticket sales
Updated timeline showing all evacuations completed by Tuesday evening October 8
FAQ
What caused the Mount Everest rescue operation?
A record-breaking snowstorm with over three feet of snow stranded nearly 900 people on the Tibetan side of Mount Everest during China's Golden Week holiday.
How many people have been rescued so far?
About 350 trekkers have made it to safety.
What is the status of local tourism?
Tourism operations in the area have been suspended.
