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Search parties have escorted all of the remaining adventurers near the east-facing slopes of Mount Everest in the Tibet region to safety, along with scores of native guides and yak herders, authorities stated. This wraps up one of the biggest search-and-rescue efforts ever conducted in the zone.

Massive Rescue Operation Completed

Hundreds of hikers were left stranded in thick snow over the weekend in the isolated Karma valley, after an exceptionally powerful blizzard dumped substantial snowfall across the region.

Snow persisted throughout Saturday in the valley, which rests at an average altitude of 4,200 meters (13,800 feet). By Sunday, rescuers had led approximately 350 hikers to safety.

Initial updates had estimated that the remaining roughly 200 travelers were projected to reach their destination by Tuesday.

In total, 580 trekkers, coupled with more than 300 local guides, animal handlers, and other assistants were evacuated, according to official reports released on Tuesday evening.

Those Rescued Describe Harsh Conditions

One Chinese hiker described how their group had been “too frightened to sleep” on Saturday, as snow quickly piled up around their tents, compelling them to remove it every 90 minutes. They opted to descend on Sunday as the conditions became more severe.

“On the way, we came across our guide’s father, who had set out for him. That’s when we learned the snow was heavy in the valley, too; villagers, incapable to contact their children on the mountain, were extremely worried.”

Climbing Plans Disrupted

The severe weather also hindered the plans of climbers escorted by a United States expedition company to summit Cho Oyu, an 8,188-meter (26,864-foot) peak on the frontier between China and the nation of Nepal.

Tourism Growth in the Region

Karma valley was first explored by international travelers a hundred years ago. In recent years, with the growth of the Everest region in Tibet as a significant tourism attraction, the area has brought in an growing number of visitors. More than 540,000 tourists explored the Everest region last year, setting a unprecedented number.

Area Still Off-Limits

The Everest region remains for the time being closed to the public, encompassing the Karma and Rongshar valleys, as well as Cho Oyu.

Broader Effect

The intense snowfall over the weekend also affected many of travelers in other parts of the western regions of China, such as Xinjiang, Qinghai, and Gansu. Unfortunately, at least one individual succumbed, due to a mix of low body temperature and acute mountain sickness.

Unusual Conditions

October is typically a busy season for the area, with normally clear and pleasant weather, but one participant of an 18-person expedition team that returned safely to Qudang commented that the weather this year was “unusual.”