🔗 Share this article Mount Everest Trekkers Report 'Extreme' Conditions as Large-Scale Operation Continues Hikers have recounted encountering "extreme" conditions after an unseasonable blizzard during one of China's busiest holiday weekends stranded hundreds of individuals on Mount Everest, sparking a large-scale rescue operation. Rescue Operations Underway Chinese authorities stated that approximately 350 individuals had made their way down but at least 200 remained stranded at the Everest Scenic Area, situated to the east of the mountain, on the Tibetan side of the border. Large groups of tourists had traveled to the region for "Golden Week," an week-long holiday period in China. However, local officials, who control the Tibetan Autonomous Region, confirmed heavy snowfall had hit the area on Friday and Saturday night, stranding numerous of people at tent sites at an elevation of more than 4,900 meters (16,000 feet). "It was the harshest conditions I've experienced in all my trekking experiences, without question," a Chinese trekker stated on Weibo, describing a "intense snowstorm on the east face" of Everest. "Glancing upward in the late hours and noticed that the snow had nearly covered the peak," shared a hiker on Xiaohongshu. "That was the first time I genuinely experienced the terror of being buried alive." Eyewitness Reports One Chinese trekker mentioned their party had been "too scared to sleep" on Saturday as snow quickly piled up around their shelters, forcing them to clear it every 90 minutes. They decided to descend on the next day as the conditions deteriorated. "On the way, we encountered our guide's father who had come looking for him. It was then we discovered the snow was intense in the valley too; villagers, unable to contact their children on the mountain, were extremely worried." The north and east side of Everest is more accessible than sites on the neighboring side of the border and draws high numbers of tourists for less technical hiking, not requiring ascent of the peak. Online Documentation Photos and video posted online showed shelters covered by snow and lines of trekkers walking through waist-high drifts to descend the mountain. "It was very deep, and the trail extremely slippery. Hikers often slipped – a few tumbled, some were jostled by yaks," said one, who clarified that everyone made it down and were transported by bus. Current Status By Sunday afternoon, approximately 350 individuals had reached Qudang, a village about 30 miles away from the Tibet-side starting point of Everest, "safe and sound," state media reported. At least 200 additional were still stranded but had been reached, the updates said. Local news stated that hundreds of rescuers had ascended the mountain to assist those trapped and clear snow from blocking the exit route. Officials provided minimal updates or updated information about the operation on the following day. It was also not clear if the storm had impacted anyone on the north face of Everest, within the same region. The region is strictly regulated by the Chinese government, and journalistic access is restricted. The weather also seemed to have disrupted phone services, with calls to local businesses not connecting. Several trekkers said electricity was cut in Qudang when they reached the town. Weather Patterns October is a peak season for the area, with typically clear and mild weather, but Chen Geshuang, one of 18 members of a hiking party that made it back to Qudang, commented that the climate this year was "not normal." "Our leader told us he had not experienced conditions like this in October. And it happened very abruptly." The regional travel department said admissions and entry to the Everest Scenic Area were halted from the weekend. Broader Effects Adjacent nations were affected as well by severe conditions. Torrential downpours caused mudslides and flash floods that have closed routes, destroyed crossings, and claimed the lives of at least 47 people since the start of the weekend in the neighboring country.