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Emergency crews have safely led all of the last trekkers near the east-facing slopes of Mount Everest in the Tibet region to safety, along with scores of native guides and yak herders, authorities reported. This marks the end one of the most extensive search-and-rescue missions ever undertaken in the region.

Massive Evacuation Effort Concluded

Hundreds of explorers were became trapped in deep snow over the recent weekend in the remote Karma valley, after an unusually intense winter blast dumped heavy snowfall across the territory.

Snow kept coming down throughout Saturday in the valley, which is located at an average altitude of 4,200 meters (13,800 feet). By Sunday, emergency teams had guided approximately 350 hikers to a safe zone.

Previous accounts had indicated that the remaining roughly 200 hikers were expected to reach a secure area by Tuesday.

In total, 580 hikers, in addition to more than 300 local guides, yak herders, and other crew members were evacuated, according to official announcements released on Tuesday evening.

Those Rescued Describe Harsh Situations

One Chinese trekker described how their group had been “too scared to sleep” on Saturday, as snow quickly piled up around their tents, compelling them to clear it every 90 minutes. They chose to descend on Sunday as the situation became more severe.

“On the way, we came across our guide’s father, who had set out for him. That’s when we learned the snow was deep in the valley, too; villagers, incapable to contact their children on the mountain, were extremely worried.”

Climbing Schedules Thwarted

The snowstorm also hindered the goals of climbers guided by a US-based expedition firm to summit Cho Oyu, an 8,188-meter (26,864-foot) peak on the frontier between China and Nepal.

Visitor Increase in the Area

Karma valley was first visited by international explorers a long time ago. In modern times, with the expansion of the Everest region in Tibet as a significant tourism destination, the area has brought in an increasing number of travelers. More than 540,000 tourists explored the Everest region last year, setting a all-time high.

Region Still Off-Limits

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

Wider Impact

The heavy snowfall over the weekend also impacted many of travelers in other parts of western China, including Xinjiang, Qinghai, and Gansu. Sadly, at least one individual succumbed, due to a blend of exposure and altitude sickness.

Atypical Conditions

October is typically a high season for the area, with usually fine and moderate weather, but one trekker of an 18-person expedition team that made it back to Qudang commented that the weather this year was “not normal.”