Heavy Snow Strands Hundreds on Mount Everest in Tibet

Tingri County, Tibet – A sudden snowstorm has left more than 500 hikers stranded on Mount Everest’s Tibetan slopes, officials reported Sunday. The extreme weather hit during China’s national holiday, intensifying the challenge as climbers flocked to the mountain.

State media reported that around 350 hikers had gathered at a designated meeting point, while rescuers maintained contact with an additional 200 hikers scattered across higher altitudes. Most stranded hikers were located above 4,900 metres (16,000 feet), with Mount Everest’s peak reaching 8,850 metres (29,000 feet).

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Eyewitnesses described tents crushed under heavy snow, while paths to lower camps were blocked. “I descended before the storm, and climbers told me that tents were flattened, and many were stranded without shelter,” said one hiker, speaking.

Authorities deployed hundreds of rescue personnel to clear snowed-in paths and evacuate stranded climbers. The operation has been complicated by low visibility, strong winds, and the sheer number of visitors, many of whom traveled for the national holiday week.

With snowstorms common at this time of year, experts caution that high-altitude trekking requires careful planning. Climbers are advised to check weather updates and maintain communication with rescue teams, as conditions can deteriorate rapidly.