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Hikers have recounted encountering "harsh" situations after an unexpected blizzard during one of China's busiest holiday weekends trapped numerous of people on Mount Everest, triggering a massive rescue operation.

Evacuation Efforts In Progress

Officials in China reported that approximately 350 people had made their way down but at least 200 were still trapped at the Everest Scenic Area, located to the eastern side of the mountain, on the Tibetan side of the border.

Crowds of visitors had journeyed to the region for "Golden Week," an eight-day holiday period in China. However, Chinese authorities, who control the Tibetan Autonomous Region, said heavy snowfall had affected the area on the weekend, trapping numerous of people at campsites at an elevation of more than 4,900 meters (16,000 feet).

"It was the most extreme weather I've ever faced in all my hiking experiences, without question," Dong Shuchang said on social media, describing a "violent convective snowstorm on the east face" of Everest.

"I looked up in the late hours and saw that the accumulation had nearly covered the top," shared a hiker on Xiaohongshu. "That was the first time I truly felt the terror of being buried alive."

Personal Accounts

A hiker from China mentioned their group had been "too frightened to sleep" on Saturday as snow rapidly built up around their shelters, compelling them to clear it every 90 minutes. They decided to go down on Sunday as the conditions worsened.

"On the way, we met our guide's father who had searched for him. It was then we learned the snow was intense in the lowlands as well; villagers, unable to reach their family on the mountain, were deeply concerned."

The north and east side of Everest is easier to reach than locations on the Nepal side of the border and attracts high numbers of tourists for easier hiking, not requiring ascent of the peak.

Online Documentation

Images and footage shared on the internet depicted tents covered by snow and rows of trekkers walking through waist-high drifts to descend the mountain.

"It was extremely thick, and the path extremely slippery. Hikers often slipped – a few tumbled, others were bumped by yaks," said one, who clarified that everyone made it down and were transported by bus.

Latest Developments

By the weekend, about 350 people had reached Qudang, a small town roughly 50 kilometers away from the Tibet-side base camp of Everest, "safe and sound," official sources reported.

At least 200 additional remained trapped but had been contacted, the updates indicated. Local news reported that scores of emergency workers had gone up the mountain to assist those trapped and remove accumulation from obstructing the exit route.

There was minimal updates or new details about the rescue effort on Monday. It was also not clear if the weather had affected individuals on the northern side of Everest, within the same region. The region is tightly controlled by the authorities, and journalistic access is restricted. The weather also seemed to have disrupted phone services, with calls to local businesses not connecting. Several trekkers said electricity was cut in Qudang when they reached the town.

Weather Patterns

October is a busy period for the area, with usually calm and pleasant weather, but Chen Geshuang, one of 18 participants of a hiking party that made it back to Qudang, commented that the climate this year was "unusual."

"The guide told us he had never encountered conditions like this in October. And it occurred very abruptly."

The regional travel department said ticket sales and access to the Everest Scenic Area were suspended from Saturday.

Regional Impact

Neighbouring countries were also hit by severe conditions. Heavy rains triggered mudslides and sudden flooding that have blocked roads, washed away bridges, and killed at least 47 individuals since Friday in Nepal.