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Emergency crews have escorted all of the last trekkers near the eastern slopes of Everest in the Tibet region to a secure location, including hundreds of native guides and livestock handlers, authorities reported. This marks the end one of the largest rescue and recovery missions ever seen in the area.

Massive Evacuation Effort Completed

Several hundred of hikers were found themselves stuck in deep snow over the weekend in the isolated Karma valley, after an unusually powerful snowstorm deposited significant 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, rescuers had led approximately 350 hikers to a safe zone.

Earlier reports had suggested that the last group of roughly 200 hikers were anticipated to reach their destination by Tuesday.

In total, 580 trekkers, along with more than 300 escorts, animal handlers, and other assistants were rescued, according to government statements released on Tuesday night.

Survivors Recount Harsh Conditions

One Chinese trekker shared how their group had been “too frightened to sleep” on Saturday, as snow rapidly accumulated around their tents, obliging them to remove it every 90 minutes. They decided to move to lower ground on Sunday as the conditions became more severe.

“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; community members, incapable to contact their children on the mountain, were very anxious.”

Climbing Schedules Disrupted

The blizzard also thwarted the plans of mountaineers led by a US-based mountaineering company to ascend Cho Oyu, an 8,188-meter (26,864-foot) peak on the boundary between the People's Republic of China and the nation of Nepal.

Visitor Increase in the Area

Karma valley was first explored by international explorers a century ago. In recent years, with the development of the Everest region in Tibet as a significant travel draw, the area has drawn an rising number of travelers. More than 540,000 sightseers visited the Everest region last year, marking a new record.

Region Still Off-Limits

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

Wider Impact

The intense snowfall over the weekend also affected many of travelers in other parts of western China, for example Xinjiang, Qinghai, and Gansu. Sadly, at least one person lost their life, due to a mix of hypothermia and high-altitude illness.

Unusual Weather

October is typically a peak season for the area, with normally sunny and pleasant weather, but one member of an 18-person trekking group that got back to Qudang commented that the weather this year was “not normal.”