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Search parties have escorted all of the remaining trekkers near the east-facing slopes of Mount Everest in the Tibet region to security, along with scores of native guides and yak herders, authorities reported. This marks the end one of the biggest rescue and recovery missions ever conducted in the zone.

Massive Rescue Operation Completed

Hundreds of hikers were found themselves stuck in deep snow over the weekend in the remote Karma valley, after an unusually fierce winter blast deposited substantial snowfall across the territory.

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

Initial updates had estimated that the last group of roughly 200 hikers were projected to reach a secure area by Tuesday.

In total, 580 trekkers, along with more than 300 escorts, yak herders, and other crew members were brought out, according to official reports released on Tuesday evening.

Survivors Recount Extreme Situations

One Chinese hiker shared how their group had been “too frightened to sleep” on Saturday, as snow swiftly built up around their tents, forcing them to clear it every 90 minutes. They opted to move to lower ground on Sunday as the conditions became more severe.

“On the way, we came across our guide’s father, who had set out for him. That’s when we found out the snow was heavy in the valley, too; villagers, not able to contact their children on the mountain, were deeply concerned.”

Expedition Schedules Disrupted

The severe weather also hindered the plans of mountaineers led by a American expedition outfit to reach the top of Cho Oyu, an 8,188-meter (26,864-foot) peak on the boundary between China and the nation of Nepal.

Tourism Increase in the Area

Karma valley was first explored by international travelers a century ago. In modern times, with the expansion of the Everest region in Tibet as a prominent visitor draw, the area has drawn an rising number of travelers. More than 540,000 tourists explored the Everest region last year, establishing a new record.

Region Still Closed

The Everest region remains for the time being off-limits to the general public, encompassing the Karma and Rongshar valleys, as well as Cho Oyu.

Broader Effect

The significant snowfall over the weekend also affected many of hikers in other parts of western China, including Xinjiang, Qinghai, and Gansu. Unfortunately, at least one person died, due to a combination of exposure and altitude sickness.

Atypical Conditions

October is typically a busy season for the area, with typically sunny and pleasant weather, but one member of an 18-person trekking group that got back to Qudang commented that the weather this year was “unusual.”