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- Hundreds of hikers hit by snowstorm on Mount Everest (abcnews.go.com)
Hundreds Trapped by Sudden Blizzard Near Mount Everest Base Camp
An unexpected blizzard has stranded hundreds of trekkers near the eastern base of Mount Everest in Tibet, catching holidaymakers off guard during what is typically a favorable travel period. Rescue operations are now underway as local authorities work to reach those still unaccounted for.
The incident unfolded over the weekend, amidst China’s eight-day National Day holiday. The extended break saw a significant influx of visitors and tour groups flocking to the remote Karama Valley, a popular trekking route leading to Mount Everest, known in Tibetan as Qomolangma. Tour packages to the region had been fully booked months in advance, underscoring the sudden and unforeseen nature of the storm.
“This scale of snow storm is very rare this time of the year for Mount Everest,” noted Qu Zhengpu, a 27-year-old experienced hiker caught in the event. “Even my local friends haven’t seen that for years.”
As of Sunday, a local government release indicated that 350 trekkers had successfully reached the small township of Qudang. Authorities have since established contact with more than 200 additional trekkers.
However, concerns remain for others who may be higher on the mountain without cellphone signal. “It’s almost impossible for the rescue teams to get contact with them,” Zhengpu stated, adding that some of his experienced hiking friends opted to remain on the mountain to wait for the snow to subside.
Among those caught in the blizzard was Geshuang Chen, an astronomy photographer and mountaineering enthusiast who had joined a trekking tour. Chen, who has since safely descended the mountain, recounted the terrifying experience.
“The snow was so heavy, the thunder and lightning made it terrifying,” Chen described the onset of the storm on the night of October 4th. By the following morning, “the snow was more than 3 feet deep, already up to my thigh. I barely slept for the whole night, I was so worried.”
Local police and villagers, utilizing yaks for transport, have organized a rescue team to assist the stranded individuals. Chen expressed profound gratitude for the efforts, noting she was greeted with warm milk tea and food by local villagers upon her safe arrival in a nearby town.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable and potentially dangerous nature of high-altitude environments, even during popular trekking seasons.
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