Hundreds of hikers found themselves at the mercy of nature’s fury on Mount Everest this past weekend, as an unseasonably fierce snowstorm barreled into the region, trapping scores on the world’s tallest peak and prompting one of the most dramatic rescue operations in recent Himalayan memory. The storm, which began late Friday, October 3, 2025, and persisted through the weekend, dumped at least three feet of snow on the eastern face of Everest in Tibet, leaving both seasoned adventurers and holiday tourists scrambling for safety.
According to Chinese state media, roughly 350 people were successfully evacuated by local villagers and rescue teams to the Tibetan town of Qudang by Monday, October 6, 2025. Yet, the ordeal was far from over: more than 200 hikers remained stranded on the mountain as of Monday, though authorities stressed that they were in contact with the trapped groups and that supplies were holding out for now. The evacuation process was ongoing, with rescue workers guiding climbers down in stages, braving treacherous conditions and the constant threat of further avalanches.
The timing of the disaster could hardly have been worse. The storm coincided with China’s eight-day National Day holiday, a period that traditionally draws thousands of tourists to the Himalayas. This year saw an unprecedented influx of visitors to the Karma Valley, a remote area that leads to the mountain’s eastern Kangshung face. The festive mood quickly soured as the weather took a sudden and violent turn. What was supposed to be a holiday adventure became a desperate struggle for survival.
“It was the most extreme weather I’ve ever faced in all my hiking experiences, without question,” said Dong Shuchang, a Chinese trekker, in a post on Weibo reported by The Guardian. Hikers described a relentless barrage of snow and rain that obscured any view of Everest’s iconic summit. “It was raining and snowing every day, and we did not see Everest at all,” Eric Wen, a member of an 18-person party that was eventually rescued, told the Associated Press. Wen recounted how his group packed into a single tent, taking turns every ten minutes to clear accumulating snow in order to prevent their shelter from collapsing. “Otherwise our tents would have collapsed,” he added. Despite being well-equipped, three members of Wen’s team suffered hypothermia, a stark reminder of just how perilous the conditions had become.
Chen Geshuang, another rescued trekker, echoed these concerns. “It was so wet and cold in the mountains, and hypothermia was a real risk,” she told Reuters. “The weather this year is not normal. The guide said he had never encountered such weather in October. And it happened all too suddenly.” Her words were mirrored by the accounts of many others who found themselves caught off guard by the unseasonable blizzard.
The storm’s impact was not limited to Tibet. According to The Kathmandu Post, the same weather system triggered multiple landslides and flash floods in neighboring Nepal, resulting in at least 47 deaths. In India, at least nine people were swept away by floodwaters. Despite these tragedies, Nepalese authorities confirmed on Monday that all tourists visiting their side of Everest were safe, and trekking to the Everest Base Camp had resumed. The contrast between the two sides of the mountain was striking, with the Tibetan Everest Scenic Area closed indefinitely while Nepal’s trails cautiously reopened.
Video footage released by Reuters showed the severity of the situation: hikers trudging through knee-deep snow, visibility reduced to almost nothing, and rescue teams—some accompanied by yaks and horses—struggling up the mountain to reach those in distress. The rescue effort was a true community affair, as hundreds of villagers joined professional teams in the race to clear snow and reopen blocked paths. Upon reaching safety in the valley, the exhausted trekkers were greeted with hot soup and sweet tea before being transported away from the danger zone.
As the crisis unfolded, officials moved quickly to limit further risk. The Tingri County Tourism Company suspended all ticket sales to Everest’s attractions, and the Everest Scenic Area was closed until further notice. Authorities made it clear that no more would-be adventurers would be allowed to attempt the 29,000-foot climb while conditions remained hazardous. This was a sobering decision, especially given Everest’s enduring allure: last year alone, the mountain welcomed a record 540,000 tourists, according to Chinese state media.
Mount Everest, standing at 29,000 feet, has long been a magnet for climbers and trekkers from around the globe. But its reputation as the ultimate adventure comes with a dark side. More than 300 people have lost their lives on its slopes over the years, many in the notorious “dead zone” above 26,000 feet, where the air is so thin that survival is measured in hours rather than days. In response to growing concerns over overcrowding and safety, Nepal has recently introduced new guidelines aimed at discouraging inexperienced climbers from attempting the summit. These measures, prompted by years of bottlenecks and increased risk, underscore the mountain’s unforgiving nature.
Yet, for all its dangers, Everest continues to captivate the human imagination. The events of this past weekend are a stark reminder that, even in an age of advanced gear and satellite phones, nature can still outmatch our best-laid plans. The suddenness and severity of the October storm left even veteran guides stunned. “The weather this year is not normal,” said Chen Geshuang. Her words capture both the unpredictability of the mountain and the resilience of those who dare to explore it.
As rescue operations continued into the week, the world watched anxiously, hoping for the safe return of every last climber. For those who survived, the experience will surely linger—a testament to both the peril and the wonder of standing on the roof of the world.
