Everest trekkers evacuated after blizzard leaves them stranded

Efforts to evacuate more than 200 trekkers still stranded near the eastern face of Mount Everest in Tibet were expected to wrap up on Oct 7, a source familiar with the situation said, after snowstorms tore across western China.

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Outdoor enthusiasts have flocked to China's rugged interior since an eight-day holiday began on Oct 1. But a sudden blizzard over the weekend caught hundreds of hikers, who were seeking a glimpse of Everest's Kangshung face, offguard.

Their evacuation, which began on Oct 6, should be completed by Oct 7, said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity. Tibet's regional government had no immediate comment.

Snow started falling in the Karma valley, which lies at an altitude averaging 4,200m, on the evening of Oct 3.

Snow fell all day on Oct 4 in Tibet's remote Karma valley, at an average altitude of 4,200m. On Oct 5, rescuers had guided about 350 stranded hikers to safety.