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Trekkers have described facing "extreme" situations after an unexpected snowstorm during one of China's most crowded festive periods trapped numerous of people on Mount Everest, triggering a large-scale rescue operation.

Rescue Operations Underway

Officials in China stated that around 350 people had descended safely but at least 200 remained stranded at the Everest Scenic Area, located to the east of the mountain, on the Tibetan side of the border.

Crowds of visitors had traveled to the area for "Golden Week," an week-long festive break in China. However, local officials, who administer the Tibetan Autonomous Region, confirmed heavy snowfall had affected the area on Friday and Saturday night, stranding numerous of people at tent sites at an elevation of more than 4,900 meters (16,000 feet).

"This was the harshest weather I've experienced in all my trekking experiences, without question," a Chinese trekker said on Weibo, describing a "intense blizzard on the east face" of Everest.

"I looked up in the middle of the night and saw that the snow had nearly covered the peak," shared another trekker on a social platform. "It was the initial instance I genuinely experienced the fear of being buried alive."

Personal Accounts

One Chinese trekker said their group had been "too scared to sleep" on Saturday as snow rapidly built up around their shelters, compelling them to clear it every 90 minutes. They decided to descend on Sunday as the weather deteriorated.

"During the descent, we met our guide’s parent who had searched for him. It was then we discovered the storm was intense in the lowlands as well; villagers, unable to reach their children on the mountain, were deeply concerned."

The north and east side of Everest is more accessible than locations on the Nepal side of the border and attracts large crowds of tourists for easier hiking, not requiring ascent of the peak.

Online Documentation

Photos and video posted online showed tents covered by snow and lines of trekkers walking through deep drifts to descend the mountain.

"It was very deep, and the trail very slick. Hikers stumbled frequently – some fell, others were bumped by pack animals," said one, who clarified that all safely descended and were transported by bus.

Current Status

By the weekend, approximately 350 people had reached Qudang, a small town about 30 miles away from the Tibet-side base camp of Everest, "safe and sound," official sources reported.

At least 200 more were still stranded but had been contacted, the reports said. Media outlets stated that scores of rescuers had gone up the mountain to assist those trapped and remove accumulation from obstructing the way out.

Officials provided minimal updates or updated information about the operation on the following day. Uncertainty remained if the storm had impacted anyone on the northern side of Everest, also in Tibet. The area is tightly controlled by the authorities, and media entry is limited. The weather also seemed to have affected phone services, with attempts to contact shops failing. A number of hikers said power was out in Qudang when they reached the town.

Seasonal Context

October is a peak season for the region, with typically calm and pleasant weather, but Chen Geshuang, one of 18 participants of a trekking group that returned to Qudang, commented that the weather this year was "unusual."

"Our leader told us he had not experienced such weather in October. And it happened all too suddenly."

The local tourism authority said ticket sales and entry to the Everest Scenic Area were halted from the weekend.

Regional Impact

Neighbouring countries were also hit by extreme weather. Heavy rains caused landslides and flash floods that have closed routes, washed away bridges, and claimed the lives of at least 47 people since Friday in Nepal.