Everest hikers guided to safety after being stranded by blizzard
5 hours ago Share Save Stephen McDonell China correspondent and Euan O'Byrne Mulligan Share Save
Reuters
A total of 580 hikers who were trapped by severe weather near Mount Everest have been guided to safety in Tibet, according to Chinese state media. The trekkers arrived in the small township of Qudang and surrounding areas, along with 300 local guides, yak handlers and other support staff, CCTV reported on Tuesday. A final group of around 10 hikers, accompanied by rescue workers, is yet to reach Qudang but has made it to a rendezvous point, which has heating equipment, oxygen and other emergency supplies. The tourists became stranded at an altitude of more than 4,900m (16,000ft) after heavy snowfall blocked their route up Everest's eastern slopes over the weekend.
The blizzard struck during China's eight-day Golden Week holiday, a peak season for local tourism. October usually provides clear skies and friendly temperatures, making it one of the favoured months to hike in the Mount Everest area. Hundreds of hikers made their way to the Karma Valley hiking trail, a lesser-known but scenic route to the base of Everest - which also offers a view of the world's highest peak. The heavy snowfall began on Friday evening, intensifying over the weekend, catching mountain guides off guard. One trekker, who had visited the Himalayas more than a dozen times, told the BBC he had "never experienced weather like this". Dong Shuchang, 27, said that several people in his group of 20 showed signs of hypothermia. Chen Geshuang, who was part of Mr Dong's hiking group, said the snow was about a metre deep when the group started their retreat on Sunday. "All of us are experienced hikers," Ms Chen said. "But this blizzard was still extremely difficult to deal with. I was so lucky to get out."
Watch: Rescuers worked for days to recover hikers stranded by Mount Everest blizzard
[SRC] https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cd079zn2m5vo
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