Media Mix-Up: No, 1,000 Climbers Aren’t Stranded on Everest

Reports claiming “1,000 climbers stranded on Everest” are flat-out wrong. The viral images used by news outlets were old — and the people in the current photos aren’t climbers at all. They’re trekkers caught in bad weather near Everest, not on it.

Only one expedition is currently on Everest — a National Geographic team on the Tibetan side. The Nepalese side has been empty for weeks after Andrzej Bargiel’s ski and Tyler Andrews’ speed attempts ended.

The stranded trekkers were in the Kangshung (East) Valley, a remote, scenic region rarely visited and almost never climbed. That side of Everest has only seen two successful ascents, both in the 1980s.

The group was hit by sudden snow in the Karma Valley near Shigatse, Tibet, leaving many cold and soaked. Some developed hypothermia before being rescued — by horse, yak, or on foot, as helicopters aren’t used in the area. Around 200 trekkers are still being helped back to safety, according to Chinese media.

The same storm swept across Tibet and Nepal, hitting multiple trekking zones. One hiker died from hypothermia in Tibet, and a Korean climber was found dead on Nepal’s Mera Peak.

After days of chaos, the weather has cleared — though strong winds will linger across the Himalaya for a while yet.