Frostbite and Snow Blindness: What Every Everest Aspirant Must Know

Category: Adventure Guides

As the Everest climbing season kicks off in Nepal, with colourful prayer flags fluttering across Base Camp and teams beginning their acclimatisation rotations, another silent but deadly duo awaits the unprepared—frostbite and snow blindness.

Whether you’re a seasoned climber, a first-time 8,000er dreamer, or even a trekker heading up to Base Camp, these two high-altitude hazards are real, fast-acting, and often underestimated.

What Is Frostbite?

Frostbite is what happens when skin and underlying tissues freeze due to extreme cold, poor circulation, or prolonged exposure to wind and wet. It most commonly affects fingers, toes, nose, cheeks, and ears—body parts farthest from your core warmth.

Early signs include:

Numbness and tingling
White or pale skin
A waxy or hard feel to the touch

In severe cases, the tissue dies and can result in permanent damage or even amputation.

Why Everest Increases the Risk

At altitudes above 5,000 metres, the wind chill is brutal, oxygen levels are low, and circulation becomes compromised. Even brief exposure—like taking off gloves to click a summit selfie—can trigger rapid onset frostbite in minutes.

Add to that:

Extended summit pushes in the dark
Limited dexterity due to heavy gloves
Dehydration and fatigue clouding judgment

…and you’ve got a perfect storm for frostbite.

What Is Snow Blindness?

Snow blindness is essentially sunburn of the cornea, caused by UV rays bouncing off snow and ice. It may not seem serious at first, but it can leave you in agony and, temporarily, in total darkness.

Symptoms include:

Burning or gritty sensation in the eyes
Excessive tearing
Blurred vision or temporary blindness
Redness and swelling

At high altitude, the atmosphere offers 30–40% less UV protection, and snow reflects up to 80% of that radiation back at your eyes.

Why It’s So Common on Everest

Trekkers and climbers often remove goggles in overcast weather, forget to wear them early in the day, or opt for cheap eyewear that doesn't block UV rays. By the time you feel the damage, it’s too late.

How to Prevent Frostbite and Snow Blindness

For Frostbite

Invest in high-quality insulated gloves and boots (especially summit-rated gear)
Always carry backup gloves or mittens in case one gets wet or lost
Avoid tight boots—restricted circulation accelerates freezing
Stay hydrated and well-nourished to maintain blood flow
Limit exposure during breaks—remove gloves or boots only when necessary
Use chemical hand warmers in gloves and boots during summit pushes
Don’t tough it out—if you feel numbness, address it immediately

🕶️ For Snow Blindness

Wear high-altitude glacier glasses or wraparound goggles with 100% UV protection
Never remove eyewear, even in cloudy conditions—UV penetrates clouds
Carry a spare pair in case of loss or breakage
Use dark, wraparound lenses with side shields to block indirect light
Avoid looking directly at snow without protection—not even for a quick selfie

What to Do If It Happens

Frostbite: Don’t rub the affected area. Warm gently using body heat (e.g., hands in armpits), but never use direct heat like hot water or stoves. Descend immediately and seek medical help.
Snow Blindness: Rest your eyes in a dark environment. Cool compresses help, and lubricating eye drops may soothe the pain. Recovery takes 24–48 hours, but you’ll need someone to guide you down.

The Bottom Line

Climbing Everest is a dream for many, but it's also a test of judgment and preparation. Frostbite and snow blindness don’t discriminate—they can affect elite mountaineers and amateur trekkers alike. The difference between a safe return and a medical evacuation often comes from awareness, discipline, and the right gear.

So this Everest season, as you chase that once-in-a-lifetime view from the top of the world, remember: the real summit is making it back with all your fingers, toes, and vision intact.