Mount Everest (Qomolangma, Sagarmatha) Weather and Exploration

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SUMMARY

The recent climbing season on Mount Everest saw 850 successful summits, a significant increase from 600 in 2024, despite challenging weather conditions. The jet stream winds created unpredictable tempests, limiting the ascent window to just a few days, resulting in large queues of climbers. Tragically, several fatalities occurred due to high altitude conditions, including cardiac arrest and altitude sickness among mountain workers. The discussion highlights the importance of proper preparation and awareness of weather impacts for those attempting to summit.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of high-altitude climbing techniques
  • Knowledge of weather patterns affecting the Himalayas
  • Familiarity with Mount Everest's climbing routes, particularly the South Col route
  • Awareness of altitude sickness symptoms and prevention strategies
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the effects of jet stream winds on Himalayan weather patterns
  • Study the South Col route for optimal climbing strategies
  • Learn about altitude sickness prevention and treatment methods
  • Explore the impact of climbing seasons on summit success rates
USEFUL FOR

Climbers, mountaineering guides, adventure travelers, and anyone interested in the challenges of high-altitude expeditions on Mount Everest.

Astronuc
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Recently, there were stories of hikers and trekkers caught in blizzards and snow storms in the region around Mt Everest. None were on the mountain, but rather is valleys around the mountain. My curiosity lead me to some interesting stories about what happened recently, and generally about the weather and its impact of those visiting the region and those attempting to summit.

What the Heck Is Going On with the Mount Everest Blizzard Rescue?
https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/everest/mount-everest-speed-record-feasible/

Is the Speed Record on Mount Everest Even Attainable?
https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/everest/mount-everest-speed-record-feasible/
Obviously, don't go trekking/running in the region in just a T-shirt and presumably running pants and shoes.

Climbing Season on Mount Everest Closes With Fewer Fatalities, Dangerous Winds, and Rapid Ascents
https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/everest/mount-everest-deaths-2025/
Our (Outside online) Everest reporter explains the biggest stories from the 2025 season: fewer fatalities than in 2024, a narrow weather window, and multiple notable ascents

This spring's jet stream winds across the Himalayas produced some challenges:

These tempests created unpredictable conditions on the peak, confounded meteorologists, and stymied elite climbers hoping to set speed records.

The winds also narrowed the window to ascend the peak to just a handful of days. Hundreds of climbers and guides packed the route between Camp II and the summit on two days this year: Sunday, May 18, and Monday, May 19. Photos and videos showed enormous queues of climbers on the peak, ascending the Lhotse Face like an army of ants.

Nepal’s Department of Tourism told Outside that 722 people reached Mount Everest’s summit from the Nepal side: 272 foreign and nine Nepali clients, plus 434 guides and seven rope fixers.Everest Chronicle reported that another 100 or so climbers reached the summit while climbing from the mountain’s Tibet side, bringing the total number of successful climbs to nearly 850, well up from the 600 or so climbers who reached the top in 2024.

The high altitude conditions resulted in the deaths of several people. One "mountain worker, suffered apparent cardiac arrest at Camp I and died days later in Kathmandu. Two other Nepali workers died in Base Camp: Lha Ngima Sherpa died from altitude sickness, and Ngima Dorje Sherpa died of a brain hemorrhage."


Mount Everest South Col route (2024)
https://www.gaiagps.com/public/C8sDHj6sjdGlCfDbdBdt7Pbl/C8sDHj6sjdGlCfDbdBdt7Pbl
 
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That sounds like one of my recurring mountain bad dreams, where I find myself on an Alpine or Himalayan mountain, having dressed and packed for a day out hill walking!