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Rescue teams have successfully guided all of the last hikers near the eastern slopes of Everest in Tibet to safety, including numerous of local guides and animal tenders, authorities announced. This marks the end one of the largest rescue and recovery operations ever undertaken in the region.

Massive Rescue Effort Completed

Numerous of hikers were became trapped in deep snow over the weekend in the isolated Karma valley, after an unexpectedly intense blizzard dumped significant snowfall across the territory.

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

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

In total, 580 hikers, coupled with more than 300 local guides, animal handlers, and other assistants were rescued, according to authoritative reports released on Tuesday late in the day.

Those Rescued Describe Extreme Situations

One from China trekker shared how their group had been “too frightened to sleep” on Saturday, as snow rapidly accumulated around their tents, compelling them to shovel it every 90 minutes. They chose to go down on Sunday as the conditions worsened.

“On the way, we met our guide’s father, who had set out 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 very anxious.”

Climbing Plans Disrupted

The severe weather also hindered the goals of alpinists guided by a US-based climbing company to reach the top of Cho Oyu, an 8,188-meter (26,864-foot) peak on the frontier between China and the nation of Nepal.

Visitor Increase in the Region

Karma valley was first discovered by international explorers a long time ago. In the past few years, with the development of the Everest region in Tibet as a significant visitor attraction, the area has attracted an rising number of tourists. More than 540,000 visitors explored the Everest region last year, setting a all-time high.

Region Still Off-Limits

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

Broader Impact

The significant snowfall over the weekend also influenced many of hikers in other parts of western China, for example Xinjiang, Qinghai, and Gansu. Unfortunately, at least one traveler succumbed, due to a combination of low body temperature and high-altitude illness.

Unusual Conditions

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