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Rescue teams have safely led all of the remaining hikers near the eastern slopes of Mount Everest in Tibet to a secure location, including numerous of regional escorts and livestock handlers, officials stated. This marks the end one of the most extensive search-and-rescue efforts ever seen in the zone.

Massive Rescue Effort Concluded

Numerous of hikers were left stranded in deep snow over the recent weekend in the isolated Karma valley, after an exceptionally intense snowstorm dumped heavy snowfall across the region.

Snow persisted throughout Saturday in the valley, which sits at an average altitude of 4,200 meters (13,800 feet). By Sunday, rescue personnel had escorted approximately 350 hikers to a safe zone.

Previous accounts had indicated that the remaining roughly 200 travelers were anticipated to reach safety by Tuesday.

In total, 580 trekkers, in addition to more than 300 local guides, animal handlers, and other crew members were brought out, according to authoritative statements released on Tuesday evening.

Survivors Recount Severe Situations

One Chinese trekker recalled how their group had been “too scared to sleep” on Saturday, as snow swiftly built up around their tents, compelling them to shovel it every 90 minutes. They opted to go down on Sunday as the conditions worsened.

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

Climbing Schedules Disrupted

The severe weather also thwarted the goals of mountaineers led by a American climbing firm to summit Cho Oyu, an 8,188-meter (26,864-foot) peak on the boundary between China and Nepal.

Tourism Increase in the Region

Karma valley was first explored by western travelers a hundred years ago. In the past few years, with the development of the Everest region in Tibet as a major visitor draw, the area has drawn an growing number of tourists. More than 540,000 visitors explored the Everest region last year, establishing a new record.

Area Still Closed

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

Wider Effect

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

Atypical Conditions

October is typically a peak season for the area, with normally sunny and mild weather, but one member of an 18-person expedition team that returned safely to Qudang commented that the weather this year was “atypical.”