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Rescue teams have successfully guided all of the remaining trekkers near the east-facing slopes of Everest in Tibet to safety, including scores of regional escorts and livestock handlers, local government reported. This wraps up one of the biggest rescue and recovery operations ever seen in the area.

Massive Rescue Effort Concluded

Numerous of hikers were became trapped in thick snow over the weekend in the remote Karma valley, after an unusually powerful winter blast dumped substantial snowfall across the region.

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

Initial updates had suggested that the remaining roughly 200 hikers were anticipated to reach safety by Tuesday.

In total, 580 mountaineers, in addition to more than 300 local guides, livestock herders, and other support staff were rescued, according to authoritative statements released on Tuesday night.

Those Rescued Describe Extreme Situations

One from China trekker recalled how their group had been “too frightened to sleep” on Saturday, as snow quickly piled up around their tents, compelling them to shovel it every 90 minutes. They chose to go down on Sunday as the weather became more severe.

“On the way, we met our guide’s father, who had set out 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 extremely worried.”

Climbing Schedules Disrupted

The blizzard also hindered the plans of mountaineers led by a US-based mountaineering firm to ascend Cho Oyu, an 8,188-meter (26,864-foot) peak on the boundary between China and the nation of Nepal.

Tourism Growth in the Area

Karma valley was first discovered by international travelers a long time ago. In the past few years, with the growth of the Everest region in Tibet as a significant tourism draw, the area has drawn an increasing number of tourists. More than 540,000 sightseers explored the Everest region last year, establishing a all-time high.

Area Remains Off-Limits

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

Wider Effect

The significant snowfall over the weekend also influenced many of hikers in other parts of the western regions of China, including Xinjiang, Qinghai, and Gansu. Sadly, at least one person succumbed, due to a combination of hypothermia and acute mountain sickness.

Unusual Weather

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