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Rescue teams have safely led all of the remaining trekkers near the east-facing slopes of Everest in the Tibet region to a secure location, including scores of native guides and livestock handlers, local government announced. This wraps up one of the most extensive search-and-rescue missions ever seen in the zone.

Large-Scale Evacuation Effort Concluded

Several hundred of trekkers were left stranded in deep snow over the weekend in the remote Karma valley, after an unusually fierce winter blast dumped significant snowfall across the area.

Snow kept coming down throughout Saturday in the valley, which is located at an mean altitude of 4,200 meters (13,800 feet). By Sunday, emergency teams had led approximately 350 hikers to a safe zone.

Earlier reports had indicated that the remaining roughly 200 individuals were expected to reach a secure area by Tuesday.

In total, 580 trekkers, along with more than 300 local guides, animal handlers, and other support staff were rescued, according to official reports released on Tuesday evening.

Those Rescued Recount Harsh Conditions

One from China traveler described how their group had been “too frightened to sleep” on Saturday, as snow swiftly built up around their tents, obliging them to clear it every 90 minutes. They chose to move to lower ground on Sunday as the weather worsened.

“On the way, we encountered our guide’s father, who had ventured for him. That’s when we realized the snow was deep in the valley, too; villagers, unable to contact their children on the mountain, were very anxious.”

Expedition Schedules Thwarted

The snowstorm also hindered the goals of alpinists guided by a American expedition outfit to summit Cho Oyu, an 8,188-meter (26,864-foot) peak on the border between China and the nation of Nepal.

Visitor Growth in the Region

Karma valley was first visited by western travelers a hundred years ago. In recent years, with the expansion of the Everest region in Tibet as a prominent visitor attraction, the area has drawn an rising number of tourists. More than 540,000 tourists visited the Everest region last year, setting a all-time high.

Area Remains Closed

The Everest region remains for the time being closed to the visitors, covering the Karma and Rongshar valleys, as well as Cho Oyu.

Broader Effect

The intense snowfall over the weekend also affected many of travelers in other parts of western China, including Xinjiang, Qinghai, and Gansu. Unfortunately, at least one person succumbed, due to a blend of low body temperature and high-altitude illness.

Atypical Weather

October is typically a peak season for the area, with normally clear and mild weather, but one member of an 18-person hiking party that got back to Qudang noted that the weather this year was “unusual.”