Massive Rescue Operation Conducted in Karma Valley
Hundreds of trekkers stranded by a powerful blizzard near Mount Everest’s eastern face in Tibet have been guided to safety. Chinese state media reported on Sunday that unusually heavy snowfall and rainfall struck the Himalayan region, leaving hundreds trapped in the remote Karma Valley.
As of Sunday, 350 trekkers safely reached the township of Qudang, while contact was established with over 200 others. The visitors had traveled to the scenic valley during China’s eight-day National Day holiday to explore the eastern Kangshung face of Everest.
Trekkers Describe a Harrowing Ordeal in Freezing Conditions
“It was so wet and cold in the mountains, and hypothermia was a real risk,” said Chen Geshuang, a member of an 18-person trekking team. Her group endured an entire night of blinding snow, thunder, and lightning before descending to safety. Villagers greeted the exhausted trekkers with warm tea and food. “Back in the village, we had a meal and were finally warm,” Chen said tearfully.
Local authorities confirmed that hundreds of villagers and rescue workers were deployed to clear snow and open mountain routes. Nearly 1,000 people were initially trapped before emergency efforts began, according to state-backed Jimu News.
Continuous Snowfall and Cold Nights Challenge Survivors
Snowfall in the Karma Valley, located at an altitude of around 4,200 meters, began late Friday and continued through Saturday. “It was raining and snowing every day, and we did not see Everest at all,” said Eric Wen, another survivor. His group of 18 trekkers decided to retreat from their final campsite when the weather worsened.
“We only had a few tents,” Wen recalled. “More than ten of us shared one large tent and hardly slept.” They cleared snow every ten minutes to keep their tents from collapsing. Despite their precautions, two men and a woman suffered from hypothermia when temperatures dropped below freezing.
Nature’s Power on Display in the Pristine Karma Valley
Karma Valley, explored by Western travelers over a century ago, is known for its lush vegetation and alpine forests. Fed by the Kangshung glacier, it contrasts sharply with Everest’s dry north face, which attracts large numbers of tourists due to easy road access.
However, this year’s October weather has been unusually severe. The local government suspended ticket sales and entry to the Everest Scenic Area from late Saturday. It remains unclear whether trekkers near the north face were affected by the storm.
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