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Rescue teams have escorted all of the last trekkers near the east-facing slopes of Everest in Tibet to a secure location, including scores of local guides and animal tenders, local government reported. This concludes one of the most extensive search-and-rescue missions ever undertaken in the region.

Large-Scale Rescue Effort Completed

Several hundred of trekkers were left stranded in deep snow over the past few days in the remote Karma valley, after an unexpectedly intense winter blast dumped substantial snowfall across the territory.

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

Previous accounts had estimated that the remaining roughly 200 individuals were anticipated to reach a secure area by Tuesday.

In total, 580 mountaineers, in addition to more than 300 escorts, yak herders, and other crew members were rescued, according to government statements released on Tuesday night.

Survivors Describe Severe Conditions

One from China hiker shared how their group had been “too scared to sleep” on Saturday, as snow quickly piled up around their tents, obliging them to clear it every 90 minutes. They opted to go down on Sunday as the weather deteriorated.

“On the way, we came across our guide’s father, who had come looking for him. That’s when we realized the snow was heavy in the valley, too; local residents, not able to contact their children on the mountain, were very anxious.”

Expedition Plans Disrupted

The snowstorm also hindered the objectives of alpinists led by a United States expedition 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 discovered by international travelers a long time ago. In the past few years, with the growth of the Everest region in Tibet as a significant travel attraction, the area has attracted an increasing number of visitors. More than 540,000 visitors visited the Everest region last year, establishing a new record.

Region Remains Closed

The Everest region continues to be for the time being off-limits to the visitors, covering the Karma and Rongshar valleys, as well as Cho Oyu.

Broader Effect

The intense snowfall over the weekend also influenced numerous of hikers in other parts of the western regions of China, for example Xinjiang, Qinghai, and Gansu. Unfortunately, at least one individual died, due to a blend of low body temperature and high-altitude illness.

Unusual Conditions

October is typically a high season for the area, with normally fine and mild weather, but one member of an 18-person expedition team that made it back to Qudang noted that the weather this year was “atypical.”