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Emergency crews have escorted all of the last trekkers near the east-facing slopes of Mount Everest in Tibet to security, along with scores of local guides and livestock handlers, authorities stated. This concludes one of the biggest rescue and recovery operations ever seen in the area.

Massive Rescue Operation Concluded

Hundreds of explorers were left stranded in deep snow over the past few days in the secluded Karma valley, after an unusually intense winter blast dumped heavy snowfall across the region.

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 led approximately 350 hikers to safety.

Previous accounts had estimated that the last group of roughly 200 individuals were expected to reach their destination by Tuesday.

In total, 580 trekkers, along with more than 300 guides, yak herders, and other support staff were rescued, according to government reports released on Tuesday late in the day.

Those Rescued Recount Severe Conditions

One Chinese traveler described how their group had been “too scared to sleep” on Saturday, as snow swiftly built up around their tents, forcing them to shovel it every 90 minutes. They decided to move to lower ground on Sunday as the weather deteriorated.

“On the way, we encountered our guide’s father, who had ventured for him. That’s when we found out the snow was deep in the valley, too; local residents, not able to contact their children on the mountain, were very anxious.”

Expedition Schedules Thwarted

The blizzard also hindered the objectives of mountaineers escorted by a US-based mountaineering outfit 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 Nepal.

Tourism Increase in the Area

Karma valley was first discovered by international adventurers a century ago. In recent years, with the growth of the Everest region in Tibet as a significant travel draw, the area has drawn an increasing number of visitors. More than 540,000 visitors visited the Everest region last year, setting a new record.

Area Still Off-Limits

The Everest region is still for the time being closed to the public, covering the Karma and Rongshar valleys, as well as Cho Oyu.

Broader Impact

The heavy snowfall over the weekend also affected many of hikers in other parts of western China, including Xinjiang, Qinghai, and Gansu. Tragically, at least one person died, due to a combination of exposure and altitude sickness.

Unusual Conditions

October is typically a busy season for the area, with typically sunny and moderate weather, but one member of an 18-person hiking party that made it back to Qudang remarked that the weather this year was “not normal.”