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Emergency crews have escorted all of the last hikers near the eastern slopes of Everest in Tibet to security, along with numerous of regional escorts and animal tenders, officials announced. This concludes one of the biggest search-and-rescue efforts ever conducted in the zone.

Massive Evacuation Effort Concluded

Hundreds of explorers were found themselves stuck in deep snow over the past few days in the isolated Karma valley, after an unusually intense blizzard dumped heavy snowfall across the territory.

Snow continued to fall throughout Saturday in the valley, which is located at an typical altitude of 4,200 meters (13,800 feet). By Sunday, rescuers had led approximately 350 hikers to security.

Initial updates had estimated that the remaining roughly 200 individuals were projected to reach a secure area by Tuesday.

In total, 580 hikers, coupled with more than 300 escorts, animal handlers, and other support staff were brought out, according to official announcements released on Tuesday late in the day.

Those Rescued Recount Severe Conditions

One from China hiker shared how their group had been “too frightened to sleep” on Saturday, as snow rapidly accumulated around their tents, compelling them to clear it every 90 minutes. They opted to move to lower ground on Sunday as the conditions deteriorated.

“On the way, we met our guide’s father, who had set out for him. That’s when we found out the snow was intense in the valley, too; local residents, not able to contact their children on the mountain, were deeply concerned.”

Expedition Plans Thwarted

The blizzard also disrupted the plans of climbers guided by a American mountaineering firm to summit Cho Oyu, an 8,188-meter (26,864-foot) peak on the border between China and the nation of Nepal.

Tourism Increase in the Region

Karma valley was first visited by international travelers a long time ago. In recent years, with the expansion of the Everest region in Tibet as a major tourism destination, 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 Remains Off-Limits

The Everest region remains for the time being inaccessible to the public, encompassing the Karma and Rongshar valleys, as well as Cho Oyu.

Broader Impact

The significant snowfall over the weekend also influenced hundreds of hikers in other parts of western China, including Xinjiang, Qinghai, and Gansu. Sadly, at least one individual died, due to a combination of low body temperature and altitude sickness.

Atypical Weather

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