The Himalayas have always symbolised human endurance and the allure of the extreme. Yet, the recent blizzard that trapped hundreds of hikers on Mount Everest’s Tibetan slopes offers a stark reminder that nature’s majesty is inseparable from its unpredictability. For all our advances in technology, planning, and preparedness, the mountains remain a domain where human ambition can be humbled in an instant.

The tragedy unfolded during what is usually the safest window for trekking, October, when skies are clear and temperatures manageable. Instead, the weather turned treacherous. Hikers who set out expecting panoramic views of the world’s highest peak were confronted by an unforgiving snowstorm, collapsing tents, and plunging temperatures. Even seasoned climbers who had faced Everest before spoke of being overwhelmed by the ferocity of the blizzard. The accounts of exhaustion, hypothermia, and near-misses show how swiftly adventure can turn........

© The Statesman