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Search parties have escorted all of the last hikers near the eastern slopes of Mount Everest in Tibet to safety, along with scores of regional escorts and livestock handlers, local government announced. This marks the end one of the biggest rescue and recovery missions ever undertaken in the region.

Large-Scale Evacuation Operation Completed

Several hundred of explorers were became trapped in deep snow over the weekend in the secluded Karma valley, after an unusually fierce blizzard dumped significant snowfall across the region.

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

Previous accounts had indicated that the remaining roughly 200 hikers were anticipated to reach their destination by Tuesday.

In total, 580 trekkers, along with more than 300 local guides, animal handlers, and other support staff were evacuated, according to authoritative statements released on Tuesday night.

Survivors Recount Severe Situations

One Chinese trekker described how their group had been “too frightened to sleep” on Saturday, as snow rapidly accumulated around their tents, obliging them to shovel it every 90 minutes. They decided to descend 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 found out the snow was heavy in the valley, too; local residents, incapable to contact their children on the mountain, were deeply concerned.”

Expedition Plans Disrupted

The blizzard also thwarted the objectives of mountaineers guided by a American climbing firm to summit Cho Oyu, an 8,188-meter (26,864-foot) peak on the boundary between China and the nation of Nepal.

Visitor Growth in the Area

Karma valley was first discovered by international explorers a hundred years ago. In modern times, with the expansion of the Everest region in Tibet as a significant tourism destination, the area has attracted an increasing number of travelers. More than 540,000 visitors visited the Everest region last year, marking a all-time high.

Area Still Closed

The Everest region continues to be currently closed to the general public, including the Karma and Rongshar valleys, as well as Cho Oyu.

Broader Impact

The intense snowfall over the weekend also influenced many of travelers in other parts of western China, including Xinjiang, Qinghai, and Gansu. Unfortunately, at least one traveler died, due to a combination of exposure and high-altitude illness.

Unusual Weather

October is typically a peak season for the area, with typically clear and mild weather, but one participant of an 18-person hiking party that got back to Qudang commented that the weather this year was “not normal.”