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Rescue teams have safely led all of the last adventurers near the east-facing slopes of Everest in the Tibet region to security, along with hundreds of local guides and yak herders, local government reported. This wraps up one of the most extensive search-and-rescue missions ever seen in the area.

Large-Scale Evacuation Effort Completed

Numerous of hikers were found themselves stuck in deep snow over the past few days in the remote Karma valley, after an unusually intense blizzard unleashed significant snowfall across the region.

Snow persisted all day Saturday in the valley, which rests at an average altitude of 4,200 meters (13,800 feet). By Sunday, emergency teams had led approximately 350 hikers to security.

Initial updates had suggested that the last group of roughly 200 travelers were expected to reach safety by Tuesday.

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

Survivors Describe Extreme Situations

One from China hiker recalled 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 weather became more severe.

“On the way, we encountered our guide’s father, who had ventured 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 deeply concerned.”

Expedition Plans Thwarted

The severe weather also hindered the objectives of mountaineers guided by a American expedition firm to summit Cho Oyu, an 8,188-meter (26,864-foot) peak on the border between the People's Republic of China and the nation of Nepal.

Visitor Growth in the Region

Karma valley was first visited by international adventurers a long time ago. In the past few years, with the development of the Everest region in Tibet as a prominent travel draw, the area has attracted an rising number of tourists. More than 540,000 visitors explored the Everest region last year, setting a unprecedented number.

Area Remains Closed

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

Wider Impact

The heavy snowfall over the weekend also impacted numerous of hikers in other parts of western China, such as Xinjiang, Qinghai, and Gansu. Tragically, at least one person lost their life, due to a blend of low body temperature and altitude sickness.

Atypical Conditions

October is typically a peak season for the area, with typically sunny and mild weather, but one participant of an 18-person hiking party that returned safely to Qudang remarked that the weather this year was “not normal.”