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Search parties have safely led all of the last trekkers near the eastern slopes of Mount Everest in Tibet to safety, along with scores of native guides and animal tenders, local government reported. This wraps up one of the most extensive search-and-rescue efforts ever seen in the region.

Massive Evacuation Operation Concluded

Numerous of hikers were became trapped in deep snow over the recent weekend in the secluded Karma valley, after an exceptionally powerful winter blast deposited significant snowfall across the region.

Snow persisted all day Saturday in the valley, which is located at an typical altitude of 4,200 meters (13,800 feet). By Sunday, emergency teams had led approximately 350 hikers to safety.

Initial updates had suggested that the remaining roughly 200 individuals were expected to reach their destination by Tuesday.

In total, 580 trekkers, coupled with more than 300 local guides, animal handlers, and other crew members were evacuated, according to authoritative reports released on Tuesday night.

Those Rescued Recount Severe Situations

One from China hiker described how their group had been “too scared to sleep” on Saturday, as snow rapidly accumulated around their tents, forcing them to clear it every 90 minutes. They opted to move to lower ground on Sunday as the conditions worsened.

“On the way, we encountered our guide’s father, who had set out for him. That’s when we found out the snow was deep in the valley, too; villagers, not able to contact their children on the mountain, were extremely worried.”

Climbing Plans Thwarted

The snowstorm also hindered the plans of mountaineers escorted by a United States climbing firm to summit Cho Oyu, an 8,188-meter (26,864-foot) peak on the border between China and the nation of Nepal.

Tourism Growth in the Region

Karma valley was first visited by western adventurers a century ago. In modern times, with the growth of the Everest region in Tibet as a prominent travel destination, the area has brought in an rising number of travelers. More than 540,000 tourists visited the Everest region last year, marking a new record.

Region Still Off-Limits

The Everest region remains temporarily off-limits to the general public, including the Karma and Rongshar valleys, as well as Cho Oyu.

Broader Impact

The significant snowfall over the weekend also influenced hundreds of hikers in other parts of the western regions of China, for example Xinjiang, Qinghai, and Gansu. Tragically, at least one traveler died, due to a combination of exposure and altitude sickness.

Atypical Conditions

October is typically a peak season for the area, with typically fine and moderate weather, but one member of an 18-person expedition team that got back to Qudang remarked that the weather this year was “not normal.”