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Emergency crews have successfully guided all of the remaining trekkers near the eastern slopes of Everest in Tibet to security, including numerous of native guides and animal tenders, officials reported. This marks the end one of the biggest search-and-rescue missions ever seen in the region.

Large-Scale Rescue Operation Completed

Several hundred of explorers were found themselves stuck in heavy snow over the past few days in the isolated Karma valley, after an unusually fierce snowstorm unleashed significant 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, emergency teams had escorted approximately 350 hikers to safety.

Previous accounts had suggested that the remaining roughly 200 hikers were projected to reach safety by Tuesday.

In total, 580 hikers, in addition to more than 300 escorts, yak herders, and other crew members were rescued, according to official announcements released on Tuesday late in the day.

Survivors Recount Severe Conditions

One Chinese traveler described how their group had been “too scared to sleep” on Saturday, as snow rapidly accumulated around their tents, forcing them to shovel it every 90 minutes. They decided to descend on Sunday as the conditions deteriorated.

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

Climbing Plans Disrupted

The blizzard also hindered the goals of mountaineers escorted by a US-based mountaineering firm to reach the top of Cho Oyu, an 8,188-meter (26,864-foot) peak on the boundary between China and the nation of Nepal.

Tourism Growth in the Area

Karma valley was first discovered by western adventurers a century ago. In recent years, with the growth of the Everest region in Tibet as a prominent travel destination, the area has brought in an growing number of tourists. More than 540,000 visitors traveled to the Everest region last year, setting a unprecedented number.

Region Still Off-Limits

The Everest region continues to be currently off-limits to the general public, covering the Karma and Rongshar valleys, as well as Cho Oyu.

Wider Impact

The intense snowfall over the weekend also affected hundreds of trekkers in other parts of the western regions of China, such as Xinjiang, Qinghai, and Gansu. Tragically, at least one individual lost their life, due to a mix of hypothermia and high-altitude illness.

Unusual Weather

October is typically a high season for the area, with typically clear and mild weather, but one participant of an 18-person hiking party that got back to Qudang commented that the weather this year was “not normal.”