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Emergency crews have successfully guided all of the remaining hikers near the eastern slopes of Everest in Tibet to safety, along with scores of native guides and livestock handlers, officials stated. This marks the end one of the most extensive rescue and recovery operations ever conducted in the zone.

Massive Rescue Effort Completed

Numerous of explorers were became trapped in heavy snow over the weekend in the isolated Karma valley, after an exceptionally powerful snowstorm deposited heavy snowfall across the region.

Snow persisted all day Saturday in the valley, which is located at an mean altitude of 4,200 meters (13,800 feet). By Sunday, emergency teams had escorted approximately 350 hikers to safety.

Initial updates had indicated that the remaining roughly 200 individuals were expected to reach safety by Tuesday.

In total, 580 hikers, in addition to more than 300 escorts, livestock herders, and other support staff were evacuated, according to authoritative statements released on Tuesday evening.

Survivors Describe Harsh Conditions

One from China trekker shared how their group had been “too anxious to sleep” on Saturday, as snow swiftly built up around their tents, obliging them to shovel it every 90 minutes. They opted to go down on Sunday as the situation 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 heavy in the valley, too; community members, unable to contact their children on the mountain, were deeply concerned.”

Climbing Plans Disrupted

The severe weather also disrupted the objectives of mountaineers led by a US-based expedition firm to ascend Cho Oyu, an 8,188-meter (26,864-foot) peak on the boundary between the People's Republic of China and Nepal.

Visitor Growth in the Region

Karma valley was first explored by international explorers a century ago. In recent years, with the growth of the Everest region in Tibet as a prominent travel attraction, the area has drawn an growing number of tourists. More than 540,000 tourists explored the Everest region last year, establishing a unprecedented number.

Region Remains Off-Limits

The Everest region remains temporarily closed to the general public, covering the Karma and Rongshar valleys, as well as Cho Oyu.

Wider Impact

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

Unusual Weather

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