350 Everest trekkers evacuated due to snowstorm

BarcelonaAt least 350 people trekking in Tibet were rescued "safe and sound" after a snowstorm hit the area surrounding Mount Everest. The heavy snowfall surprised the trekkers on Saturday night, October 4, at an altitude of approximately 4,200 meters above sea level. The storm buried several tents and cut off various points along the route that runs through the Gamma Valley on the eastern slope of Everest.

According to local authorities, the evacuated trekkers were taken to the village of Qudang, in the town of Shigaste, where they are in good condition. Another 200 trekkers are still at different points along the route and are gradually advancing to the same point, guided by rescue teams.

The snowfall was unusually heavy for this time of year. The September and October seasons are usually among the most favorable for visiting this area, as the lack of rain allows for a better appreciation of the landscapes of Everest and other nearby mountain ranges. In fact, the event coincided exactly with Golden Week, one of the main holiday periods of the year in China, during which many tourists travel to natural areas and hike trails like the one in the Gama Valley.

"The worst storm"

Photographer and mountaineer Dong Suchang, with extensive experience in the area, is one of the hikers who has already been evacuated. According to a Chinese media report, National Business Daily, this weekend's storm is "the worst" he's ever witnessed. During the night, he says the snow reached a meter deep at the camp where he was: "The guides spent the entire night removing snow so the tents wouldn't get buried. We tried to stay warm as best we could, but one of my cameras froze and stopped working."

Guides with years of experience in the region also assure that they have never witnessed a similar phenomenon and have highlighted the need to improve safety protocols and preparation for this type of high-mountain trek. One Everest tourism area worker, in fact, explained that "the snowfall was so intense that even the yaques—the animals that are the main means of transportation in the area—were immobilized."

The Tingri County government has closed several tourist spots in the Everest area due to persistent snow and ice on roads, as well as poor visibility caused by the heavy snowfall.