A blizzard that struck Mount Everest and Tibet’s Karma Valley this weekend left nearly 1,000 hikers stranded in brutal conditions — and exposed just how unprepared Chinese authorities remain for natural disasters in remote regions.
The storm hit during China’s National Day holiday, dumping snow across the eastern Kangshung face of Everest and trapping hikers at elevations over 13,000 feet. According to state media, “at least 350 people have so far reached safety,” while hundreds more remain cut off.
China’s response has relied heavily on villagers and volunteer groups, not central government forces. “It was so wet and cold in the mountains, and hypothermia was a real risk,” trekker Chen Geshuang told Reuters. Her account highlights how survival often depends on local heroism, not Beijing’s bureaucracy.
Rescue efforts have been slow as snow-blocked roads delayed teams and heavy machinery. Authorities even suspended ticket sales and closed entry to the Everest Scenic Area — an admission of failure disguised as caution. Meanwhile, the same storm system has killed at least 47 people in neighboring Nepal, underscoring the devastating regional impact.
