Blizzard Kills Hiker, Traps Hundreds at Kangshung Face

An unseasonal blizzard of heavy snow and rain struck the Karma valley near Everest’s eastern (Kangshung) face over the weekend, trapping large numbers of trekkers and prompting a major rescue operation. Roughly 350 hikers were guided to the township of Qudang while more than 200 others remained on the slopes but were in contact with rescuers and were being evacuated beginning Monday; Reuters said the evacuation operation was expected to be completed by Tuesday. Tibetan firefighters, hundreds of local villagers and organized rescue teams have been deployed to clear snow, escort groups and reopen access, but continuing snowfall and difficult high‑altitude terrain have complicated efforts. Survivors described collapsing tents, constant snow and rain, and a real risk of hypothermia; Chinese state media and Xinhua reported at least one death from hypothermia and acute altitude sickness. Authorities and hikers said the surge of visitors was driven by China’s National Day holiday and that the storm was unusually timed for October.