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Emergency crews have successfully guided all of the remaining adventurers near the eastern slopes of Everest in the Tibet region to security, along with scores of regional escorts and livestock handlers, local government reported. This marks the end one of the most extensive rescue and recovery efforts ever conducted in the zone.

Massive Rescue Operation Completed

Several hundred of hikers were became trapped in thick snow over the recent weekend in the isolated Karma valley, after an unexpectedly powerful winter blast deposited substantial snowfall across the region.

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

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

In total, 580 mountaineers, in addition to more than 300 local guides, animal handlers, and other assistants were brought out, according to authoritative announcements released on Tuesday evening.

Survivors Describe Harsh Situations

One from China traveler described how their group had been “too anxious to sleep” on Saturday, as snow swiftly built up around their tents, forcing them to clear it every 90 minutes. They decided to move to lower ground on Sunday as the conditions became more severe.

“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; community members, not able to contact their children on the mountain, were very anxious.”

Climbing Plans Thwarted

The snowstorm also disrupted the objectives of climbers guided by a United States expedition company to ascend Cho Oyu, an 8,188-meter (26,864-foot) peak on the boundary between China and Nepal.

Tourism Growth in the Area

Karma valley was first discovered by western adventurers a hundred years ago. In modern times, with the development of the Everest region in Tibet as a prominent tourism destination, the area has drawn an rising number of travelers. More than 540,000 sightseers visited the Everest region last year, setting a new record.

Region Remains Closed

The Everest region is still currently inaccessible to the visitors, including the Karma and Rongshar valleys, as well as Cho Oyu.

Broader Impact

The heavy snowfall over the weekend also influenced many of trekkers in other parts of western China, such as Xinjiang, Qinghai, and Gansu. Sadly, at least one individual died, due to a mix of hypothermia and altitude sickness.

Atypical Weather

October is typically a peak season for the area, with typically fine and pleasant weather, but one member of an 18-person hiking party that made it back to Qudang commented that the weather this year was “atypical.”