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Emergency crews have safely led all of the last hikers near the eastern slopes of Everest in the Tibet region to safety, including numerous of regional escorts and livestock handlers, authorities reported. This wraps up one of the largest search-and-rescue efforts ever seen in the region.

Massive Rescue Operation Concluded

Numerous of trekkers were found themselves stuck in heavy snow over the weekend in the secluded Karma valley, after an exceptionally powerful winter blast dumped substantial snowfall across the area.

Snow kept coming down all day Saturday in the valley, which sits at an typical altitude of 4,200 meters (13,800 feet). By Sunday, rescue personnel had escorted approximately 350 hikers to a safe zone.

Earlier reports had estimated that the remaining roughly 200 travelers were expected to reach safety by Tuesday.

In total, 580 mountaineers, along with more than 300 local guides, animal handlers, and other support staff were rescued, according to government announcements released on Tuesday night.

Those Rescued Describe Severe Conditions

One from China trekker recalled how their group had been “too frightened to sleep” on Saturday, as snow quickly piled up around their tents, compelling them to shovel it every 90 minutes. They decided to go down on Sunday as the weather worsened.

“On the way, we met 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 extremely worried.”

Climbing Plans Disrupted

The severe weather also hindered the goals of climbers escorted by a American climbing outfit to summit Cho Oyu, an 8,188-meter (26,864-foot) peak on the frontier between China and Nepal.

Tourism Growth in the Region

Karma valley was first explored by foreign explorers a hundred years ago. In recent years, with the growth of the Everest region in Tibet as a prominent travel destination, the area has attracted an growing number of tourists. More than 540,000 tourists explored the Everest region last year, marking a all-time high.

Region Still Closed

The Everest region is still for the time being inaccessible to the general public, encompassing the Karma and Rongshar valleys, as well as Cho Oyu.

Wider Impact

The heavy snowfall over the weekend also affected numerous of hikers in other parts of the western regions of China, including Xinjiang, Qinghai, and Gansu. Sadly, at least one individual succumbed, due to a mix of exposure and high-altitude illness.

Unusual Weather

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