🔗 Share this article Why the Fall Trekking Period Became Lethal in the Himalayan Mountains The autumn trekking period is more and more seeing severe conditions Clear skies, gentle winds and a breathtaking view of Himalayan peaks covered in white powder - this describes the fall experience that hikers on the world's highest peak have come to love. However this appears to be changing. Shifting Weather Patterns Meteorologists indicate the monsoon now stretches into fall, which is historically the high-altitude travel period. Throughout this delayed conclusion of monsoon, they have documented at least one instance of heavy precipitation almost every year for the past ten years, with mountain conditions becoming increasingly risky. Latest Crisis on Everest Last weekend, a unexpected snowstorm stranded several hundred of tourists near the eastern face of Everest for days in bitterly cold temperatures at an altitude of more than 16,000ft. Approximately 600 hikers were escorted to safety by the end of that week, according to sources. One individual had succumbed from extreme cold and mountain sickness, but the remaining individuals were said to be in good health. Comparable Events Across the Region The emergency was on the northern slope but something similar had occurred on the southern slope, where a Korean climber lost his life on Mera Peak. The international community learned much later because communications were hit by torrential rains and heavy snowfall. Authorities calculate that mudslides and flash floods in the country have claimed the lives of around 60 people over the past week. "This is very unusual for autumn during which we anticipate the skies to remain calm," stated Riten Jangbu Sherpa. Business Impact Given autumn represents the preferred season, regular storms like these have "disrupted our trekking and mountaineering industry," he added. The rainy period in the Indian subcontinent and Nepal usually continues from early summer to mid-September, but no longer. "Research shows that most of the years in the previous ten years have had monsoons lasting until the middle of autumn, which is definitely a change," said a senior meteorology expert. Growing Climate Severity Even more worrying is the heavy precipitation and snowfall the concluding phase of the period brings, like it occurred this time on 4 and 5 October. At elevation in the mountain range, such severe weather means snowstorms and winter storms, which represents a huge danger for hiking, mountaineering and the travel industry. A snowstorm this month trapped hundreds of tourists near the east side of the world's highest peak Firsthand Experiences Exactly what occurred last weekend when the weather changed quite suddenly - the winds began roaring, temperatures dropped sharply and visibility decreased significantly. The path that had comfortably led the trekkers to what should have been a breathtaking resting point was now buried in snow and impossible to traverse. Nevertheless, one trekker, who had hiked these mountains more than a dozen times, reported he had "not once experienced conditions like this" before. Expert Analysis One major factor is the increased quantity of humidity in the atmosphere because of how the planet has been heating up, scientists explain. This has led to heavy precipitation over a short span of time, often after a extended period without rain – unlike in the past when seasonal rains were spread evenly over the entire season. Landslides and sudden floods in the region over the past week have claimed dozens A Intensified Monsoon Weather experts report the monsoons in South Asia at times seem to have become stronger because they are increasingly interacting with another atmospheric phenomenon, the westerly disturbance. The phenomenon is a low pressure system that originates in the Mediterranean region and travels eastward - it transports cold air that causes rains and occasionally snowfall to northern India, neighboring countries and Nepal. Climate Warming Effects Researchers have also discovered that in a heating world, the increasing interaction between western weather systems and monsoons is causing an additional unusual result. The hotter atmosphere is pushing the weather systems to greater altitudes, which means these weather systems are now capable to cross the Himalayas and affect Tibet and additional regions that previously experienced less as much rain in the past. "What's changed is the reliability of patterns; we cannot presume that conditions will behave the same from season to season," said an experienced expedition guide. "This implies adaptable planning, real-time choices, and knowledgeable leadership [in the Himalayas] have become increasingly essential."