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Emergency crews have escorted all of the last hikers near the eastern slopes of Everest in Tibet to security, including scores of regional escorts and livestock handlers, officials reported. This wraps up one of the biggest search-and-rescue missions ever undertaken in the zone.

Large-Scale Evacuation Effort Completed

Numerous of hikers were left stranded in heavy snow over the weekend in the secluded Karma valley, after an unexpectedly powerful snowstorm deposited significant snowfall across the area.

Snow continued to fall throughout Saturday in the valley, which rests at an average altitude of 4,200 meters (13,800 feet). By Sunday, rescue personnel had escorted approximately 350 hikers to safety.

Initial updates had indicated that the last group of roughly 200 travelers were expected to reach their destination by Tuesday.

In total, 580 hikers, in addition to more than 300 escorts, livestock herders, and other assistants were rescued, according to official announcements released on Tuesday evening.

Survivors Describe Extreme Conditions

One Chinese hiker shared how their group had been “too anxious to sleep” on Saturday, as snow quickly piled up around their tents, obliging them to clear it every 90 minutes. They decided to descend on Sunday as the situation deteriorated.

“On the way, we encountered our guide’s father, who had ventured for him. That’s when we found out the snow was intense in the valley, too; villagers, incapable to contact their children on the mountain, were extremely worried.”

Climbing Schedules Disrupted

The severe weather also thwarted the objectives of climbers escorted by a United States climbing firm to reach the top of 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.

Tourism Growth in the Area

Karma valley was first visited by international adventurers a century ago. In modern times, with the growth of the Everest region in Tibet as a significant visitor attraction, the area has brought in an rising number of travelers. More than 540,000 visitors explored the Everest region last year, marking a new record.

Area Still Closed

The Everest region continues to be for the time being off-limits to the visitors, including the Karma and Rongshar valleys, as well as Cho Oyu.

Broader Effect

The significant snowfall over the weekend also affected hundreds of trekkers in other parts of the western regions of China, including Xinjiang, Qinghai, and Gansu. Tragically, at least one traveler died, due to a combination of low body temperature and high-altitude illness.

Unusual Weather

October is typically a busy season for the area, with usually clear and pleasant weather, but one participant of an 18-person trekking group that got back to Qudang commented that the weather this year was “unusual.”