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Rescue teams have successfully guided all of the last adventurers near the east-facing slopes of Everest in the Tibet region to safety, including hundreds of native guides and animal tenders, authorities announced. This marks the end one of the largest rescue and recovery efforts ever conducted in the area.

Large-Scale Rescue Operation Completed

Hundreds of trekkers were became trapped in thick snow over the recent weekend in the isolated Karma valley, after an exceptionally intense snowstorm deposited heavy snowfall across the area.

Snow persisted 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.

Earlier reports had suggested that the remaining roughly 200 individuals were anticipated to reach their destination by Tuesday.

In total, 580 hikers, coupled with more than 300 escorts, animal handlers, and other crew members were rescued, according to official reports released on Tuesday late in the day.

Survivors Recount Severe Conditions

One from China traveler recalled how their group had been “too frightened to sleep” on Saturday, as snow quickly piled up around their tents, compelling them to shovel it every 90 minutes. They chose to go down on Sunday as the weather deteriorated.

“On the way, we came across our guide’s father, who had set out for him. That’s when we learned the snow was intense in the valley, too; villagers, incapable to contact their children on the mountain, were very anxious.”

Climbing Plans Disrupted

The severe weather also thwarted the plans of alpinists escorted by a American climbing company to summit 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 international adventurers a hundred years ago. In recent years, with the development of the Everest region in Tibet as a prominent visitor destination, the area has brought in an increasing number of tourists. More than 540,000 tourists explored the Everest region last year, setting a new record.

Region Still Off-Limits

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

Wider Effect

The heavy snowfall over the weekend also affected numerous of travelers in other parts of western China, for example Xinjiang, Qinghai, and Gansu. Tragically, at least one person died, due to a mix of exposure and high-altitude illness.

Atypical Conditions

October is typically a high season for the area, with usually clear and moderate weather, but one participant of an 18-person expedition team that returned safely to Qudang commented that the weather this year was “not normal.”