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Rescue teams have safely led all of the last trekkers near the eastern slopes of Everest in Tibet to safety, including scores of native guides and animal tenders, local government reported. This wraps up one of the biggest rescue and recovery operations ever seen in the area.

Large-Scale Rescue Operation Concluded

Hundreds of hikers were became trapped in deep snow over the weekend in the secluded Karma valley, after an unexpectedly intense blizzard deposited significant snowfall across the territory.

Snow kept coming down all day Saturday in the valley, which rests at an typical altitude of 4,200 meters (13,800 feet). By Sunday, emergency teams had escorted approximately 350 hikers to safety.

Earlier reports had indicated that the last group of roughly 200 individuals were expected to reach their destination by Tuesday.

In total, 580 trekkers, along with more than 300 escorts, livestock herders, and other support staff were brought out, according to official statements released on Tuesday late in the day.

Those Rescued Describe Extreme Situations

One from China trekker shared how their group had been “too scared to sleep” on Saturday, as snow quickly piled up around their tents, forcing them to clear it every 90 minutes. They chose to go down on Sunday as the situation worsened.

“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; villagers, not able to contact their children on the mountain, were very anxious.”

Expedition Schedules Disrupted

The blizzard also thwarted the plans of mountaineers led by a American climbing company to reach the top of Cho Oyu, an 8,188-meter (26,864-foot) peak on the border between China and the nation of Nepal.

Tourism Increase in the Area

Karma valley was first visited by foreign travelers a long time ago. In the past few years, with the growth of the Everest region in Tibet as a prominent visitor attraction, the area has brought in an rising number of visitors. More than 540,000 visitors explored the Everest region last year, establishing a all-time high.

Area Remains Closed

The Everest region continues to be for the time being off-limits to the visitors, covering the Karma and Rongshar valleys, as well as Cho Oyu.

Broader Effect

The heavy snowfall over the weekend also influenced many of trekkers in other parts of the western regions of China, including Xinjiang, Qinghai, and Gansu. Unfortunately, at least one traveler lost their life, due to a blend of hypothermia and acute mountain sickness.

Atypical Conditions

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