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Rescue teams have successfully guided all of the remaining hikers near the east-facing slopes of Mount Everest in Tibet to safety, along with scores of local guides and animal tenders, authorities stated. This marks the end one of the largest search-and-rescue operations ever conducted in the zone.

Large-Scale Rescue Operation Completed

Numerous of explorers were found themselves stuck in heavy snow over the weekend in the remote Karma valley, after an unusually fierce blizzard unleashed heavy snowfall across the area.

Snow kept coming down all day Saturday in the valley, which rests at an average altitude of 4,200 meters (13,800 feet). By Sunday, rescue personnel had guided approximately 350 hikers to safety.

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

In total, 580 hikers, along with more than 300 guides, livestock herders, and other assistants were evacuated, according to official announcements released on Tuesday night.

Survivors Recount Extreme Situations

One Chinese trekker shared 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 descend on Sunday as the weather deteriorated.

“On the way, we met our guide’s father, who had set out for him. That’s when we realized the snow was heavy in the valley, too; local residents, incapable to contact their children on the mountain, were extremely worried.”

Climbing Plans Thwarted

The severe weather also disrupted the plans of alpinists led by a United States climbing company to reach the top of Cho Oyu, an 8,188-meter (26,864-foot) peak on the border between the People's Republic of China and the nation of Nepal.

Visitor Growth in the Region

Karma valley was first explored by foreign travelers a century ago. In the past few years, with the growth of the Everest region in Tibet as a significant tourism draw, the area has brought in an growing number of travelers. More than 540,000 visitors traveled to the Everest region last year, establishing a new record.

Area Still Off-Limits

The Everest region continues to be temporarily closed to the public, covering the Karma and Rongshar valleys, as well as Cho Oyu.

Wider Impact

The significant snowfall over the weekend also affected 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 blend of hypothermia and high-altitude illness.

Unusual Weather

October is typically a busy season for the area, with typically sunny and moderate weather, but one member of an 18-person expedition team that made it back to Qudang commented that the weather this year was “unusual.”