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Emergency crews have safely led all of the last trekkers near the eastern slopes of Everest in the Tibet region to a secure location, including hundreds of native guides and animal tenders, authorities stated. This wraps up one of the most extensive rescue and recovery efforts ever conducted in the zone.

Large-Scale Evacuation Operation Completed

Numerous of trekkers were found themselves stuck in deep snow over the recent weekend in the remote Karma valley, after an exceptionally intense blizzard dumped heavy snowfall across the territory.

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

Previous accounts had suggested that the remaining roughly 200 hikers were projected to reach safety by Tuesday.

In total, 580 hikers, in addition to more than 300 escorts, yak herders, and other assistants were brought out, according to official statements released on Tuesday late in the day.

Those Rescued Describe Harsh Conditions

One from China trekker recalled 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 chose to move to lower ground on Sunday as the weather deteriorated.

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

Expedition Schedules Thwarted

The snowstorm also disrupted the objectives of climbers escorted by a United States climbing firm to ascend Cho Oyu, an 8,188-meter (26,864-foot) peak on the frontier between the People's Republic of China and the nation of Nepal.

Visitor Growth in the Region

Karma valley was first visited by foreign adventurers a hundred years ago. In modern times, with the growth of the Everest region in Tibet as a significant visitor attraction, the area has attracted an growing number of tourists. More than 540,000 visitors traveled to the Everest region last year, setting a all-time high.

Area Remains Closed

The Everest region remains currently off-limits to the visitors, encompassing the Karma and Rongshar valleys, as well as Cho Oyu.

Wider Effect

The intense snowfall over the weekend also affected many of hikers in other parts of western China, such as Xinjiang, Qinghai, and Gansu. Tragically, at least one individual lost their life, due to a blend of low body temperature and altitude sickness.

Unusual Weather

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