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Rescue teams have successfully guided all of the remaining adventurers near the eastern slopes of Mount Everest in Tibet to security, including numerous of local guides and livestock handlers, officials stated. This marks the end one of the biggest search-and-rescue missions ever seen in the area.

Massive Evacuation Operation Completed

Numerous of hikers were became trapped in deep snow over the recent weekend in the remote Karma valley, after an exceptionally intense winter blast unleashed substantial snowfall across the area.

Snow persisted throughout Saturday in the valley, which rests at an average altitude of 4,200 meters (13,800 feet). By Sunday, rescuers had escorted approximately 350 hikers to security.

Earlier reports had suggested that the remaining roughly 200 travelers were anticipated to reach their destination by Tuesday.

In total, 580 hikers, coupled with more than 300 guides, yak herders, and other crew members were evacuated, according to authoritative reports released on Tuesday night.

Survivors Recount Harsh Conditions

One from China traveler shared how their group had been “too scared to sleep” on Saturday, as snow rapidly accumulated around their tents, compelling them to clear it every 90 minutes. They decided to descend on Sunday as the weather worsened.

“On the way, we met our guide’s father, who had come looking for him. That’s when we learned the snow was intense in the valley, too; local residents, unable to contact their children on the mountain, were deeply concerned.”

Climbing Plans Disrupted

The severe weather also thwarted the plans of alpinists led by a US-based expedition company to summit Cho Oyu, an 8,188-meter (26,864-foot) peak on the frontier between the People's Republic of China and Nepal.

Tourism Growth in the Region

Karma valley was first discovered by international explorers a long time ago. In recent years, with the development of the Everest region in Tibet as a prominent visitor draw, the area has brought in an rising number of travelers. More than 540,000 tourists visited the Everest region last year, marking a all-time high.

Area Still Closed

The Everest region is still currently inaccessible to the visitors, encompassing the Karma and Rongshar valleys, as well as Cho Oyu.

Broader Effect

The intense snowfall over the weekend also influenced many of trekkers in other parts of western China, such as Xinjiang, Qinghai, and Gansu. Unfortunately, at least one traveler lost their life, due to a mix of low body temperature and acute mountain sickness.

Atypical Conditions

October is typically a high season for the area, with typically sunny and moderate weather, but one trekker of an 18-person hiking party that made it back to Qudang remarked that the weather this year was “unusual.”