Thanks for posting dscobie.
As night has fallen, it's unlikely that we'll hear much more news before tomorrow, but TAAN may publish a list of names for the 37 people rescued from Thorung La before the end of the day.
I'll keep posting updates as I have them, today and over the weekend, particularly on the status of treks across the Thorung La.
TAAN has published a list of trekkers rescued today from Thorung La. Some details are in Nepali, but many people will be able to confirm that missing trekkers are now safe.
Not quite sure which areas are affected:
Trekking thru Annapurna circuit restricted after blizzards
Following dozens of death by blizzards, authorities have restricted tourists to trek through some parts of the Annapurna circuit for time being.
According to the Trekking Agents Association of Nepal (TAAN), trekkers now cannot pass through the trekking route above upper Mustang.
The Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) is regulating the trekking activities in the area.
It has stopped collecting fees and giving approvals to trekkers to go beyond upper Mustang citing security reasons, according to West Regional President of TAAN, Ramchandra Sharma.
"But, the trekkers can go up to upper Mustang," he said, "There is no problem in visiting other places."
The latest news I have is that the areas currently affected are:
Annaupurna Circuit - Thorung La closed, trekkers being asked to wait or turn back at Manang
Dhaulagiri - avalanche at Dhaulagiri Base Camp
Upper Dolpo - up to 100 trekkers still unaccounted for
It's unclear if other areas of Mustang are affected - many reports have talked about Mustang, but it seems that this may mean the Thorung La, which is in Mustang district. Trekkers have also been rescued from Narphu and Tilcho Lake in Manang district.
An update from Ekantipur on Annapurna rescues. Death toll has risen to 32 but number rescued from Thuroung La today is now 41.
No news yet on Dolpo/Dolpa trekkers - reports earlier today said that only one of 11 groups trekking Upper Dolpa (the area around Phoksumdo Lake and the Kagmara La) has made contact so far, but the area has limited infrastructure so too early to draw any conclusions from that.
Regarding Dolpo trek, the Chief district officer at Dolpo gave an interview to local TV station and said that they were able to contact with a group and they were fine and traveling without problem. According to him the contact was made with the group who were at high altitudes and they have no problem in movement so, his guess is that the Dolpo area is not that affected by this blizzard. He said that the effort of making contact is being done but since the groups are in very remote area making contact might be difficult. More information might come tomorrow.
Solo trekking, without a guide or companions, is never recommended.
This is nonsense. It's not for LP to judge what is acceptable risk for anyone. Of course it is advisable to have decent gear, knowledge etc. But the word is 'advisable' , people take responsibility for their own actions in the mountains.
Solo trekkers are often particularly careful because they are on their own. More inclined to listen to local advice and more likely to be carrying gear that could save their life in a bad weather situation. Groups of trekkers can be less careful if they have false confidence in the collective abilities of the group. It's questionable whether a group of inexperienced and poorly equipped trekkers are safer than an experienced, well equipped individual.