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Emergency crews have escorted all of the remaining adventurers near the east-facing slopes of Mount Everest in the Tibet region to security, along with hundreds of regional escorts and yak herders, authorities stated. This marks the end one of the biggest search-and-rescue efforts ever undertaken in the zone.

Large-Scale Evacuation Operation Concluded

Numerous of hikers were found themselves stuck in deep snow over the weekend in the remote Karma valley, after an unusually intense winter blast unleashed significant snowfall across the region.

Snow persisted throughout 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.

Earlier reports had indicated that the last group of roughly 200 individuals were anticipated to reach a secure area by Tuesday.

In total, 580 mountaineers, coupled with more than 300 escorts, livestock herders, and other support staff were brought out, according to authoritative reports released on Tuesday late in the day.

Survivors Recount Harsh Situations

One from China trekker described how their group had been “too anxious to sleep” on Saturday, as snow swiftly built up around their tents, forcing them to shovel it every 90 minutes. They opted to go down on Sunday as the situation became more severe.

“On the way, we came across 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.”

Climbing Schedules Disrupted

The severe weather also hindered the goals of alpinists escorted by a American climbing firm to reach the top of Cho Oyu, an 8,188-meter (26,864-foot) peak on the frontier between China and Nepal.

Visitor Growth in the Area

Karma valley was first visited by international travelers a century ago. In modern times, with the expansion of the Everest region in Tibet as a major tourism attraction, the area has attracted an rising number of tourists. More than 540,000 sightseers traveled to the Everest region last year, marking a new record.

Region Still Off-Limits

The Everest region remains currently inaccessible to the general public, encompassing the Karma and Rongshar valleys, as well as Cho Oyu.

Wider Impact

The significant snowfall over the weekend also impacted many of travelers in other parts of western China, such as Xinjiang, Qinghai, and Gansu. Sadly, at least one traveler lost their life, due to a blend of exposure and altitude sickness.

Atypical Conditions

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