🔗 Share this article All Mountaineers Currently Secure Following Days Stranded in Severe Snowstorm Rescue teams have escorted all of the remaining hikers near the eastern slopes of Everest in the Tibet region to a secure location, along with scores of local guides and livestock handlers, local government announced. This marks the end one of the most extensive search-and-rescue operations ever seen in the area. Massive Evacuation Effort Completed Hundreds of trekkers were found themselves stuck in thick snow over the past few days in the remote Karma valley, after an unexpectedly powerful snowstorm unleashed substantial snowfall across the territory. Snow kept coming down throughout Saturday in the valley, which sits at an average altitude of 4,200 meters (13,800 feet). By Sunday, emergency teams had led approximately 350 hikers to a safe zone. Initial updates had indicated that the remaining roughly 200 hikers were projected to reach safety by Tuesday. In total, 580 mountaineers, in addition to more than 300 local guides, livestock herders, and other support staff were brought out, according to authoritative announcements released on Tuesday evening. Survivors Recount Severe Conditions One from China trekker described how their group had been “too anxious to sleep” on Saturday, as snow quickly piled up around their tents, forcing them to shovel it every 90 minutes. They opted to descend on Sunday as the conditions became more severe. “On the way, we encountered our guide’s father, who had come looking for him. That’s when we found out the snow was heavy in the valley, too; villagers, incapable to contact their children on the mountain, were extremely worried.” Climbing Plans Thwarted The snowstorm also disrupted the goals of mountaineers guided by a US-based mountaineering outfit to reach the top of 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. Tourism Increase in the Region Karma valley was first visited by international adventurers a long time ago. In modern times, with the development of the Everest region in Tibet as a prominent tourism destination, the area has drawn an growing number of travelers. More than 540,000 visitors explored the Everest region last year, setting a unprecedented number. Area Remains Closed The Everest region is still temporarily inaccessible to the public, including the Karma and Rongshar valleys, as well as Cho Oyu. Wider Impact The significant snowfall over the weekend also impacted many of travelers in other parts of western China, for example Xinjiang, Qinghai, and Gansu. Tragically, at least one individual lost their life, due to a blend of hypothermia and high-altitude illness. Unusual Weather October is typically a peak season for the area, with normally clear and mild weather, but one participant of an 18-person expedition team that returned safely to Qudang noted that the weather this year was “atypical.”