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Search parties have escorted all of the last hikers near the eastern slopes of Mount Everest in Tibet to security, along with scores of regional escorts and yak herders, local government reported. This marks the end one of the largest search-and-rescue missions ever conducted in the zone.

Large-Scale Evacuation Operation Concluded

Hundreds of explorers were found themselves stuck in deep snow over the past few days in the secluded Karma valley, after an unusually fierce winter blast dumped significant snowfall across the territory.

Snow kept coming down throughout Saturday in the valley, which sits at an typical altitude of 4,200 meters (13,800 feet). By Sunday, rescuers had led approximately 350 hikers to security.

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

In total, 580 mountaineers, in addition to more than 300 escorts, yak herders, and other crew members were rescued, according to government announcements released on Tuesday late in the day.

Survivors Recount Severe Conditions

One from China traveler shared how their group had been “too frightened to sleep” on Saturday, as snow rapidly accumulated around their tents, obliging them to clear it every 90 minutes. They decided to move to lower ground on Sunday as the conditions became more severe.

“On the way, we encountered our guide’s father, who had ventured for him. That’s when we found out the snow was deep in the valley, too; local residents, not able to contact their children on the mountain, were deeply concerned.”

Expedition Schedules Disrupted

The severe weather also thwarted the goals of climbers led by a United States climbing company to reach the top of 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.

Tourism Growth in the Area

Karma valley was first explored by foreign travelers a long time ago. In recent years, with the expansion of the Everest region in Tibet as a significant tourism destination, the area has brought in an rising number of tourists. More than 540,000 sightseers traveled to the Everest region last year, setting a unprecedented number.

Region Remains Closed

The Everest region continues to be temporarily inaccessible to the visitors, encompassing the Karma and Rongshar valleys, as well as Cho Oyu.

Broader Effect

The heavy snowfall over the weekend also affected numerous of hikers in other parts of the western regions of China, for example Xinjiang, Qinghai, and Gansu. Unfortunately, at least one person died, due to a blend of low body temperature and acute mountain sickness.

Unusual Weather

October is typically a high season for the area, with typically fine and pleasant weather, but one participant of an 18-person expedition team that got back to Qudang remarked that the weather this year was “unusual.”