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Rescue teams have safely led all of the last hikers near the east-facing slopes of Mount Everest in Tibet to a secure location, along with scores of local guides and yak herders, officials announced. This wraps up one of the most extensive search-and-rescue operations ever undertaken in the region.

Massive Evacuation Operation Completed

Hundreds of trekkers were found themselves stuck in heavy snow over the weekend in the isolated Karma valley, after an unexpectedly intense snowstorm deposited heavy 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, rescue personnel had led approximately 350 hikers to a safe zone.

Previous accounts had suggested that the last group of roughly 200 travelers were anticipated to reach safety by Tuesday.

In total, 580 mountaineers, coupled with more than 300 guides, yak herders, and other support staff were rescued, according to official statements released on Tuesday night.

Survivors Recount Harsh Situations

One Chinese trekker shared how their group had been “too anxious to sleep” on Saturday, as snow rapidly accumulated around their tents, obliging them to shovel it every 90 minutes. They chose to move to lower ground on Sunday as the weather became more severe.

“On the way, we met our guide’s father, who had come looking for him. That’s when we learned the snow was heavy in the valley, too; villagers, not able to contact their children on the mountain, were extremely worried.”

Expedition Plans Thwarted

The blizzard also hindered the objectives of mountaineers escorted by a American expedition outfit to ascend Cho Oyu, an 8,188-meter (26,864-foot) peak on the frontier between China and the nation of Nepal.

Tourism Growth in the Area

Karma valley was first visited by foreign explorers a century ago. In recent years, with the development of the Everest region in Tibet as a significant visitor draw, the area has brought in an rising number of visitors. More than 540,000 tourists traveled to the Everest region last year, establishing a unprecedented number.

Region Still Closed

The Everest region continues to be currently inaccessible to the general public, encompassing 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 western China, such as Xinjiang, Qinghai, and Gansu. Sadly, at least one individual lost their life, due to a combination of hypothermia and acute mountain sickness.

Unusual Conditions

October is typically a peak season for the area, with normally fine and pleasant weather, but one participant of an 18-person hiking party that got back to Qudang noted that the weather this year was “unusual.”