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Search parties have safely led all of the last adventurers near the east-facing slopes of Mount Everest in Tibet to safety, including hundreds of local guides and animal tenders, authorities announced. This concludes one of the largest rescue and recovery operations ever seen in the area.

Large-Scale Rescue Operation Concluded

Hundreds of trekkers were became trapped in deep snow over the past few days in the secluded Karma valley, after an exceptionally fierce snowstorm dumped substantial snowfall across the region.

Snow continued to fall all day Saturday in the valley, which rests at an typical altitude of 4,200 meters (13,800 feet). By Sunday, rescuers had escorted approximately 350 hikers to a safe zone.

Earlier reports had indicated that the last group of roughly 200 hikers were expected to reach safety by Tuesday.

In total, 580 trekkers, along with more than 300 guides, yak herders, and other crew members were evacuated, according to government statements released on Tuesday night.

Survivors Recount Severe Conditions

One Chinese hiker described how their group had been “too frightened to sleep” on Saturday, as snow rapidly accumulated around their tents, obliging them to shovel it every 90 minutes. They decided to move to lower ground on Sunday as the situation worsened.

“On the way, we encountered our guide’s father, who had set out for him. That’s when we learned the snow was deep in the valley, too; local residents, unable to contact their children on the mountain, were very anxious.”

Expedition Schedules Thwarted

The snowstorm also hindered the plans of mountaineers guided by a United States climbing company to summit Cho Oyu, an 8,188-meter (26,864-foot) peak on the boundary between China and Nepal.

Visitor Growth in the Area

Karma valley was first discovered by international travelers a century ago. In recent years, with the growth of the Everest region in Tibet as a prominent travel draw, the area has drawn an increasing number of tourists. More than 540,000 sightseers traveled to the Everest region last year, marking a unprecedented number.

Region Still Closed

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

Broader Impact

The heavy snowfall over the weekend also influenced many of trekkers in other parts of western China, including Xinjiang, Qinghai, and Gansu. Sadly, at least one traveler died, due to a combination of hypothermia and high-altitude illness.

Unusual Conditions

October is typically a high season for the area, with normally sunny and pleasant weather, but one member of an 18-person hiking party that made it back to Qudang noted that the weather this year was “not normal.”