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Emergency crews have escorted all of the remaining adventurers near the east-facing slopes of Mount Everest in Tibet to a secure location, along with numerous of local guides and livestock handlers, local government announced. This wraps up one of the biggest rescue and recovery missions ever conducted in the region.

Large-Scale Rescue Effort Completed

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

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

Previous accounts had suggested that the last group of roughly 200 hikers were anticipated to reach safety by Tuesday.

In total, 580 mountaineers, coupled with more than 300 escorts, animal handlers, and other support staff were brought out, according to government statements released on Tuesday night.

Those Rescued Describe Extreme Situations

One from China hiker recalled how their group had been “too frightened to sleep” on Saturday, as snow rapidly accumulated around their tents, forcing them to clear it every 90 minutes. They decided to move to lower ground on Sunday as the situation deteriorated.

“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, not able to contact their children on the mountain, were deeply concerned.”

Climbing Schedules Disrupted

The snowstorm also thwarted the objectives of alpinists guided by a American climbing outfit to summit Cho Oyu, an 8,188-meter (26,864-foot) peak on the boundary between China and the nation of Nepal.

Tourism Increase in the Region

Karma valley was first discovered by western adventurers a century ago. In modern times, with the expansion of the Everest region in Tibet as a significant travel draw, the area has attracted an rising number of tourists. More than 540,000 sightseers traveled to the Everest region last year, establishing a unprecedented number.

Area Remains Closed

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

Broader Impact

The significant snowfall over the weekend also influenced many of trekkers in other parts of western China, such as Xinjiang, Qinghai, and Gansu. Unfortunately, at least one traveler succumbed, due to a blend of exposure and high-altitude illness.

Unusual Conditions

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