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Rescue teams have escorted all of the remaining adventurers near the eastern slopes of Everest in the Tibet region to security, including numerous of native guides and animal tenders, local government stated. This marks the end one of the most extensive rescue and recovery efforts ever undertaken in the area.

Massive Evacuation Effort Concluded

Hundreds of explorers were left stranded in heavy snow over the recent weekend in the secluded Karma valley, after an exceptionally powerful winter blast unleashed significant snowfall across the area.

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

Initial updates had indicated that the remaining roughly 200 hikers were anticipated to reach a secure area by Tuesday.

In total, 580 mountaineers, coupled with more than 300 escorts, yak herders, and other support staff were rescued, according to government announcements released on Tuesday night.

Survivors Describe Harsh Conditions

One Chinese traveler 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 descend on Sunday as the conditions deteriorated.

“On the way, we came across our guide’s father, who had come looking for him. That’s when we learned the snow was intense in the valley, too; community members, incapable to contact their children on the mountain, were extremely worried.”

Expedition Plans Thwarted

The severe weather also disrupted the plans of alpinists escorted by a American climbing firm to ascend Cho Oyu, an 8,188-meter (26,864-foot) peak on the border between China and the nation of Nepal.

Visitor Increase in the Area

Karma valley was first explored by foreign travelers a hundred years ago. In the past few years, with the development of the Everest region in Tibet as a prominent visitor attraction, the area has drawn an increasing number of travelers. More than 540,000 sightseers explored the Everest region last year, establishing a all-time high.

Area Still Off-Limits

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

Wider Impact

The significant snowfall over the weekend also influenced many of trekkers in other parts of western China, including Xinjiang, Qinghai, and Gansu. Unfortunately, at least one individual lost their life, due to a blend of low body temperature and acute mountain sickness.

Unusual Weather

October is typically a peak season for the area, with typically clear and moderate weather, but one participant of an 18-person hiking party that got back to Qudang commented that the weather this year was “unusual.”