Avalanche death toll rises as search continues in Nepal

A freak weather system Wednesday that triggered deadly blizzards and avalanches in the Himalayas has caused 29 deaths so far.

Improving weather conditions meant rescue teams using helicopters could take more flights today in their search for stranded trekkers, reports CBS News correspondent Seth Doane.

Peak trekking season is well underway in this part of Nepal, and rescuers are battling deep snow that buried some people in drifts more than six feet deep.

It's believed the storm was whipped up by cyclone Hudhud which lashed India earlier this week.

"We all thought that somebody going to die, and maybe we going to die," Linor Kajan said.

Kajan was among 12 Israeli hikers airlifted to Katmandu, Nepal's capital.

Rescuers are focusing part of their search near the hard-hit Thorong La pass in the popular Annapurna circuit.

Nearly 18,000 feet high, Annapurna is the world's 10th highest mountain and is roughly 200 miles from Mount Everest.

"People that were involved in this accident, typically they were out on family vacations." said climber Vik Sahney.

Sahney has climbed the tallest peak on every continent, including Mount Everest.

"These are not people who are professional climbers, he said. "These are not people looking to take on a mountain."

Families of the missing have been using a Facebook page to share what information they have.