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Emergency crews have escorted all of the last adventurers near the eastern slopes of Mount Everest in Tibet to a secure location, including numerous of local guides and yak herders, local government stated. This marks the end one of the most extensive rescue and recovery efforts ever undertaken in the zone.

Massive Rescue Operation Completed

Numerous of hikers were became trapped in thick snow over the past few days in the secluded Karma valley, after an unusually powerful snowstorm dumped substantial snowfall across the territory.

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

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

In total, 580 trekkers, along with more than 300 escorts, livestock herders, and other assistants were rescued, according to government announcements released on Tuesday late in the day.

Those Rescued Describe Severe Situations

One from China hiker described how their group had been “too scared to sleep” on Saturday, as snow rapidly accumulated around their tents, obliging them to shovel it every 90 minutes. They opted to descend on Sunday as the weather became more severe.

“On the way, we came across our guide’s father, who had ventured for him. That’s when we realized the snow was deep in the valley, too; local residents, not able to contact their children on the mountain, were extremely worried.”

Expedition Plans Thwarted

The blizzard also thwarted the goals of climbers escorted by a United States climbing outfit to ascend Cho Oyu, an 8,188-meter (26,864-foot) peak on the border between the People's Republic of China and the nation of Nepal.

Visitor Increase in the Region

Karma valley was first discovered by western explorers a long time ago. In recent years, with the growth of the Everest region in Tibet as a significant visitor destination, the area has brought in an increasing number of travelers. More than 540,000 sightseers explored the Everest region last year, marking a all-time high.

Region Still Closed

The Everest region continues to be currently off-limits to the general public, covering the Karma and Rongshar valleys, as well as Cho Oyu.

Broader Impact

The heavy snowfall over the weekend also impacted many of hikers in other parts of the western regions of China, including Xinjiang, Qinghai, and Gansu. Unfortunately, at least one person lost their life, due to a blend of exposure and high-altitude illness.

Unusual Conditions

October is typically a high season for the area, with normally fine and pleasant weather, but one trekker of an 18-person trekking group that returned safely to Qudang noted that the weather this year was “not normal.”