Editorial | Everest rescue shows danger of taking risks for social media glory

October is peak season on the slopes of Mount Everest and surrounding regions. Relatively mild temperatures and clear skies are more likely. They attract climbers and tourists in their thousands, from the experienced to the less seasoned or even novice mountaineers.

The storm stranded climbers and left them at risk from mounting snow that crushed tents and created icy conditions and poor visibility. Some climbers were reportedly ill-equipped for the severe conditions. This raises questions about the safe pursuit of extraordinary experiences, often to be shared on social media.

The blizzard triggered a massive evacuation operation on the slopes of the world’s highest mountain. Sadly, one hiker is reported to have died from hypothermia and altitude sickness on Sunday in the Laohugou area of Qinghai province’s Haibei prefecture.

Extreme weather has also affected Nepal, south of Tibet, where torrential rain triggered landslides and flash floods, causing road disruption and bridge collapses. Scores have died since Friday.

If not for timely and decisive rescue operations, the Everest blizzard could have been much worse, but one life lost is one too many. Hopefully the experience will serve as a lesson about the importance of preparedness and vigilance against complacency, no matter how unseasonal the conditions were in this case.