Gripped Magazine
Himalayan Climbing Halted as Cyclone Causes Chaos
Over the past few days, Cyclone Montha has disrupted trekking and climbing through the southern Himalayas. In the higher elevations of the Everest region, deep snow and heavy rain blanketed trails and base camps, prompting authorities to suspend activity in areas, including the Annapurna region, Manaslu region and Dhaulagiri region.
The combination of snowfall and rain means trekkers, both foreign and local guides, face increased hazards such as buried trails, low visibility and rapidly changing weather. For example, several people in the hidden valley of the Dhaulagiri area were stranded for two days before being reached by rescue teams.
One of the most dramatic incidents highlighting the fallout occurred when a small private rescue helicopter operating near Lobuche in the Everest region crashed while attempting to land. The pilot survived, but the crash underlines how aviation support for trekkers and climbers is compromised.
With helicopters grounded by poor weather and visibility, stranded groups of trekkers are left with fewer options for timely evacuation. In one case, an Australian climber died on Himlung (7,126 m) because rescue efforts were thwarted by the stormy conditions triggered by Cyclone Montha.
An Altitude Air helicopter crash-landed at the Lobuche helipad near Everest Base Camp on Wednesday morning after reportedly skidding during landing. No casualties were reported in the incident.https://t.co/vwog6YuqRf pic.twitter.com/3lsbcyEfrS
— Everest Chronicle (@EverestChron) October 29, 2025
The broader fallout for mountaineering in Nepal is significant. Operators and local authorities are now urging people to postpone or reroute expeditions, while many individuals have been forced to abort their plans or descend early. The heavier-than-normal precipitation has caused avalanches, landslides and trail closures, including an incident on Yalung Ri where an avalanche killed seven climbers amid deteriorating weather – more info here.
With helicopter rescue services hampered and the terrain growing more unpredictable, the overall danger in the Himalaya has sharply increased.
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