Trekking Alerts

What are trekking alerts? 

Trekking alerts are advisories on areas along a trek or treks that MissingTrekker.com believes trekkers should be aware of for their own safety. Trekking Alerts do not always apply to the whole trek unless indicated. For example, an alert may indicate that a particular part of a trek is currently in danger of a landslide, or has a dangerous shortcut, or caution needs to be noted for another reason listed.

Trekking alerts should be regarded as advisories and are graded in the following categories

Red: High Alert – Extreme caution or danger – avoidance is advised

Orange: Medium Alert – there is a danger present – take note and exercise caution

Yellow: Cautionary Alert – be cautionary of an issue or issues

High Alert

Trekking Guides Are Now Mandatory in Nepal.

In March 2023 Nepal Tourism Board announced that all trekkers must be accompanied by a registered trekking guide from April 1st 2023.

The move by NTB is a controversial one and there is little detail on how this rule will be carried out other than by stating it will be an offense to be without a trekking guide. Increasing the controversy is that Nepali trekkers are excluded from the ban despite the reasoning for the ban being one of improving trekkers safety.

The Solukhumbu regions administration (Everest region) have stated they will not follow this rule and solo trekkers are welcome. Solo trekkers in the Everest region need to purchase a TREK CARD for $20 at Lukla or Monjo.

More details can be found on Solo Trekking banned in Nepal.

 

High Alert

Annapurna Regions (all Annapurna treks, including Manaslu and Dhaulagiri) (January 2024). Ice has hit the Annapurna and Manaslu regions.

As always January – February – March is an unknown weather factor in the Annapurna’s., Trekking routes can get completely covered in high altitude areas. Avalanches are more likely in valley areas – especially when the snow is melting.

As per previous years, beware of any trekking company saying it is good to go – they are simply thinking of profit and will either turn you back when you encounter snow or worse yet continue on through the snow.

Please exercise extreme caution for the duration!

High Alert

Everest Base Camp Trek – Dingbouche to Gorak Shep. Trekkers have gone missing from the area between Lobuche to Gorak Shep in the off season. It’s highly probably this is due to getting lost due to glacier movement in this area which changes the trail. As nobody in the area puts up new signs until the end of the monsoon season it is highly advised to go with a guide during the off season to avoid getting lost.

For your own safety please take a guide during the off season and peak season as it is obvious this area changes to such a degree that it’s causing people to become lost and tragically go missing. As a result of this it is also causing the knock on effect of limiting independent trekking in the region for others during the peak seasons.

Medium Alert

Everest/Solukhumbu Region: Communications, both Wi-Fi and mobile, are being reported in 2023 as being disrupted throughout the region.

Some reports are stating that due to the April/May climbing season the communication systems are overloaded, while others are claiming there is a technical fault.

Please keep in mind that trekkers may not be able to email, message or telephone as previously anticipated. Trekkers with families overseas should let them know this to prevent worry. Similarly, wherever possible trekkers should let friends and family know they are safe.

Medium Alert

Mardi Himal (Short Cut from High Camp to Sidhing): Do not take the trail beside high camp that has a sign post indicating it is a shortcut to Sidhing – sometimes the sign is replaced with just a lodge name or a sign indicating a “New Route”. Numerous accidents and deaths have occured on this route. This is an unofficial route. It is extremely slippery with loose rock.

Use the official trail going directly to Low Camp – ask at the high camp lodge if you are not certain which route to take.

Likewise take the main trail to base camp and not the side trail. If in doubt, take a guide!

More information on the Mardi Himal Trek

Cautionary Alert

Annapurna Base Camp (Snow & Avalanche): Ground snow along the Annapurna Base Camp trek from Deurali onwards during winter and extending into March and April. Extreme caution is advised in this area until the snow has safely melted.

As this has occurred in February/March for the past two consecutive years it is now being listed as a cautionary time of year on this route whether there is snow or not.

Snowfall can occur without warning. In 2019 Annapurna Base Camp was completely closed down due to snowfall which damaged buildings. In 2020 there were were several fatalities when an avalanche occurred. Other accidents have occured along this route due to snowfall in the past.

The issue of opening another route to ABC and to improve signage or introduce a warning system has been brought up. However, as of now little has been implemented. During other periods of the year when snowfall is not expected the route is deemed safe.

More information on the Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Cautionary Alert

Langtang Valley (Theft – Lama Hotel to Langtang Village): Previously there have been reports of theft from Lama Hotel to Langtang Village. Exercise caution and take due precautions. Trekking with a partner or guide is advised.

More information about the Langtang Valley Trek

Michael Liu Blomberg

Name: Michael Liu Blomberg
Nationality: Swedish

Date Last Seen: 30th of December 2023
Location Last Seen: High Camp, Mardi Himal
Status: Missing

Nirmalya Bhattacharya

Name: Nirmalya Bhattacharya
Nationality: Indian

Date Last Seen: 22nd July 2022
Location Last Seen: Lobuche
Status: Missing

Chandra Mohan Shivanath “Adith”

Name: Dr Chandra Mohan Shivanath “Adith”
Nationality: Indian

Date Last Seen: 21st May 2022
Location Last Seen: Dingboche
Status: Missing

Ekaternina Katargina & Artem Ostrovski

Name: Ekaternina Katargina & Artem Ostrovski
Nationality: Russian

Date Last Seen: 2nd May 2022
Location Last Seen: Namche Bazar
Status: Found

Young Kidron

Name: Young Kidron
Nationality: Israeli

Date Last Seen: 21st September 2021
Location Last Seen: Soti Khola on the Manaslu trek / Dharapani on the Annapurna Circuit (checkpoint sign in only)
Status: Missing

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    Trekker Alerts are from MissingTrekker.com and do not represent any official alert or advisory from Nepal nor any official organisation in Nepal. MissingTrekker.com is not responsible for trekking conditions in Nepal. If you have any concern about a trek or conditions surrounding a trek, please contact the relevant authority in Nepal.

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