A sudden and severe blizzard hit the eastern slopes of Mount Everest in Tibet starting October 3, 2025, trapping nearly 1,000 hikers, guides, and workers at high altitudes above 4,900 meters (16,000 feet).[1][2][6]
Casualties and Rescue Efforts
- At least one hiker died from hypothermia and altitude sickness in Qinghai province nearby.[1]
- Over 350 individuals were successfully evacuated to the small Tibetan township of Qudang, with around 200 still stranded as rescue operations continue.[2][3][6]
- Rescue teams, including local villagers, police, and over 300 professional rescuers, are clearing snow-blocked roads and using drones to locate stranded people.[6][1]
- The Everest Scenic Area was temporarily closed to visitors due to heavy snowfall.[2][6]
Conditions and Hiker Experiences
- Snowfall began Friday evening and grew heavier over the weekend, with up to 1 meter (3 feet) of snow reported, collapsing tents and making trails extremely slippery.[3][7]
- Hikers described relentless lightning and thunder, freezing temperatures, and difficulty sleeping due to harsh conditions.[4][3]
- Several trekkers experienced hypothermia despite proper gear; some had to shovel snow off tents every 10 minutes to avoid collapse.[3][4]
- One hiker noted that trekking in October is usually favorable with clear skies, making this blizzard highly unusual and dangerous.[4]
Context and Regional Weather Impact
- The blizzard struck during China’s week-long National Day holiday, known as Golden Week, a peak season for tourism near Everest.[3][4]
- The Karma Valley hiking trail, a popular but less trafficked route to Everest’s base, was heavily affected.[4]
- Neighboring Nepal has faced heavy rains and floods causing at least 47 deaths in recent days.[6]
- Typhoon Matmo impacted China’s eastern coast around the same time, forcing mass evacuations [general knowledge].
