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Search parties have safely led all of the remaining trekkers near the east-facing slopes of Mount Everest in the Tibet region to security, including numerous of local guides and livestock handlers, authorities announced. This marks the end one of the most extensive rescue and recovery efforts ever seen in the region.

Large-Scale Evacuation Effort Completed

Numerous of trekkers were left stranded in thick snow over the recent weekend in the isolated Karma valley, after an exceptionally fierce snowstorm unleashed heavy snowfall across the territory.

Snow persisted all day Saturday in the valley, which sits at an mean altitude of 4,200 meters (13,800 feet). By Sunday, rescuers had escorted approximately 350 hikers to a safe zone.

Earlier reports had estimated that the remaining roughly 200 hikers were expected to reach their destination by Tuesday.

In total, 580 trekkers, in addition to more than 300 local guides, animal handlers, and other support staff were evacuated, according to government statements released on Tuesday evening.

Survivors Recount Harsh Situations

One from China traveler recalled how their group had been “too frightened to sleep” on Saturday, as snow rapidly accumulated around their tents, obliging them to clear it every 90 minutes. They opted to descend on Sunday as the situation worsened.

“On the way, we encountered our guide’s father, who had ventured for him. That’s when we found out the snow was heavy in the valley, too; villagers, unable to contact their children on the mountain, were very anxious.”

Climbing Schedules Disrupted

The blizzard also thwarted the objectives of mountaineers escorted by a United States expedition outfit to summit Cho Oyu, an 8,188-meter (26,864-foot) peak on the boundary between China and the nation of Nepal.

Tourism Increase in the Area

Karma valley was first visited by western explorers a hundred years ago. In the past few years, with the growth of the Everest region in Tibet as a prominent visitor attraction, the area has drawn an rising number of visitors. More than 540,000 visitors traveled to the Everest region last year, establishing a unprecedented number.

Area Still Closed

The Everest region continues to be currently closed to the visitors, encompassing the Karma and Rongshar valleys, as well as Cho Oyu.

Broader Impact

The intense snowfall over the weekend also affected numerous of hikers in other parts of western China, for example Xinjiang, Qinghai, and Gansu. Tragically, at least one traveler lost their life, due to a combination of hypothermia and acute mountain sickness.

Unusual Conditions

October is typically a busy season for the area, with usually sunny and moderate weather, but one trekker of an 18-person expedition team that made it back to Qudang noted that the weather this year was “not normal.”