Blizzard Traps Trekkers on Thorong La; At Least 43 Die
| Event date | 14 October 2014 |
|---|---|
| Location | Thorong La (5,416 m) and the wider Annapurna Circuit; also Dhaulagiri and Manang areas |
| Type | Avalanche/storm; trekking accident; rescue and evacuation |
| Deaths | At least 43 across the region (early reports rose from 29 to 38 before reaching 43) |
| Verification | Verified |
| Status | Historical / closed |
In mid-October 2014, peak trekking season, the remains of Cyclone Hudhud from the Bay of Bengal combined with an upper-level trough over the Himalaya and dumped extraordinary amounts of snow on central Nepal. Reports describe close to two metres falling in about twelve hours around Thorong La, the high pass on the Annapurna Circuit.
Hundreds of trekkers, guides and porters were on or near the pass. Many had set out that morning in light clothing, and the snow closed both sides of the pass behind and ahead of them. At least 43 people died across the region in the storm and the avalanches it triggered, making it Nepal’s worst trekking disaster. Victims included Nepali guides and porters and trekkers from Canada, India, Israel, Slovakia, Poland and Japan. The army and private helicopter operators flew hundreds of stranded people out over the following days.
The disaster led to calls for a proper weather-warning system for trekking routes and for better tracking of where trekkers are.
Sources
- Outside — "Why Did So Many People Die in Nepal?"
- National Geographic — "Deadly Blizzard, Avalanches Kill Hikers in Nepal"
- Backpacker — "Inside Nepal's Deadly Blizzard"
- Al Jazeera — "Nepal avalanche kills hikers and villagers"
Last reviewed 29 September 2026. Written in Merolog’s own words from the sources listed; where sources disagree, each figure is attributed rather than merged. Spotted an error or a newer figure? Leave a comment on this entry.