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Search parties have safely led all of the remaining trekkers near the east-facing slopes of Mount Everest in Tibet to security, including hundreds of native guides and yak herders, authorities reported. This marks the end one of the largest rescue and recovery efforts ever seen in the area.

Massive Rescue Effort Completed

Hundreds of hikers were left stranded in heavy snow over the weekend in the isolated Karma valley, after an unusually powerful blizzard deposited significant snowfall across the area.

Snow persisted all day 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 a safe zone.

Earlier reports had suggested that the remaining roughly 200 travelers were projected to reach their destination by Tuesday.

In total, 580 mountaineers, in addition to more than 300 guides, yak herders, and other assistants were brought out, according to authoritative reports released on Tuesday late in the day.

Those Rescued Describe Harsh Conditions

One from China traveler recalled how their group had been “too anxious to sleep” on Saturday, as snow quickly piled up around their tents, forcing them to clear it every 90 minutes. They opted to descend on Sunday as the conditions deteriorated.

“On the way, we met our guide’s father, who had set out for him. That’s when we learned the snow was intense in the valley, too; local residents, not able to contact their children on the mountain, were deeply concerned.”

Climbing Plans Thwarted

The snowstorm also thwarted the objectives of climbers led by a American mountaineering firm to summit Cho Oyu, an 8,188-meter (26,864-foot) peak on the border between China and Nepal.

Tourism Growth in the Area

Karma valley was first discovered by western adventurers a hundred years ago. In the past few years, with the development of the Everest region in Tibet as a prominent tourism draw, the area has drawn an growing number of visitors. More than 540,000 visitors visited the Everest region last year, establishing a new record.

Area Remains Closed

The Everest region is still currently closed to the public, including the Karma and Rongshar valleys, as well as Cho Oyu.

Broader Impact

The intense snowfall over the weekend also impacted hundreds of travelers in other parts of western China, for example Xinjiang, Qinghai, and Gansu. Unfortunately, at least one individual died, due to a blend of exposure and altitude sickness.

Atypical Weather

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