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Search parties have escorted all of the last adventurers near the east-facing slopes of Mount Everest in the Tibet region to safety, along with numerous of local guides and livestock handlers, officials reported. This concludes one of the most extensive rescue and recovery operations ever seen in the region.

Large-Scale Rescue Operation Concluded

Numerous of trekkers were became trapped in thick snow over the past few days in the remote Karma valley, after an unusually powerful winter blast deposited significant snowfall across the area.

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

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

In total, 580 trekkers, along with more than 300 escorts, livestock herders, and other support staff were evacuated, according to official reports released on Tuesday evening.

Survivors Recount Harsh Conditions

One from China hiker described how their group had been “too scared 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 encountered our guide’s father, who had ventured for him. That’s when we learned the snow was heavy in the valley, too; villagers, unable to contact their children on the mountain, were deeply concerned.”

Climbing Plans Thwarted

The severe weather also thwarted the goals of alpinists guided by a United States climbing company to ascend Cho Oyu, an 8,188-meter (26,864-foot) peak on the border between China and the nation of Nepal.

Visitor Increase in the Area

Karma valley was first visited by international travelers a hundred years ago. In recent years, with the growth of the Everest region in Tibet as a prominent tourism destination, the area has attracted an rising number of travelers. More than 540,000 visitors visited the Everest region last year, setting a new record.

Area Remains Closed

The Everest region remains currently inaccessible to the visitors, covering the Karma and Rongshar valleys, as well as Cho Oyu.

Wider Impact

The intense snowfall over the weekend also impacted many of trekkers in other parts of western China, for example Xinjiang, Qinghai, and Gansu. Tragically, at least one person lost their life, due to a combination of exposure and acute mountain sickness.

Unusual Weather

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