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Search parties have safely led all of the remaining hikers near the east-facing slopes of Everest in Tibet to a secure location, including numerous of native guides and livestock handlers, officials reported. This wraps up one of the most extensive search-and-rescue missions ever conducted in the region.

Large-Scale Rescue Operation Completed

Numerous of trekkers were found themselves stuck in heavy snow over the weekend in the isolated Karma valley, after an unexpectedly intense winter blast deposited substantial snowfall across the area.

Snow persisted throughout Saturday in the valley, which sits at an average altitude of 4,200 meters (13,800 feet). By Sunday, rescue personnel had guided approximately 350 hikers to a safe zone.

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

In total, 580 mountaineers, coupled with more than 300 escorts, yak herders, and other crew members were evacuated, according to authoritative announcements released on Tuesday evening.

Survivors Describe Severe Conditions

One Chinese trekker recalled how their group had been “too anxious to sleep” on Saturday, as snow swiftly built up around their tents, forcing them to shovel it every 90 minutes. They opted to descend on Sunday as the conditions became more severe.

“On the way, we encountered our guide’s father, who had set out for him. That’s when we realized the snow was deep in the valley, too; local residents, unable to contact their children on the mountain, were extremely worried.”

Expedition Schedules Disrupted

The blizzard also thwarted the plans of alpinists led by a United States expedition outfit to ascend Cho Oyu, an 8,188-meter (26,864-foot) peak on the boundary between the People's Republic of China and the nation of Nepal.

Visitor Growth in the Region

Karma valley was first explored by international explorers a century ago. In recent years, with the expansion of the Everest region in Tibet as a significant visitor destination, the area has attracted an growing number of visitors. More than 540,000 visitors visited the Everest region last year, setting a unprecedented number.

Area Remains Off-Limits

The Everest region continues to be currently inaccessible to the general public, covering the Karma and Rongshar valleys, as well as Cho Oyu.

Broader Effect

The heavy snowfall over the weekend also influenced numerous of travelers in other parts of the western regions of China, such as Xinjiang, Qinghai, and Gansu. Sadly, at least one person died, due to a combination of hypothermia and altitude sickness.

Atypical Conditions

October is typically a peak season for the area, with normally fine and mild weather, but one member of an 18-person hiking party that got back to Qudang noted that the weather this year was “not normal.”