🔗 Share this article

Emergency crews have safely led all of the last adventurers near the eastern slopes of Everest in Tibet to security, including hundreds of native guides and livestock handlers, officials stated. This marks the end one of the most extensive search-and-rescue efforts ever undertaken in the region.

Large-Scale Rescue Operation Completed

Hundreds of trekkers were found themselves stuck in thick snow over the recent weekend in the isolated Karma valley, after an unexpectedly intense winter blast dumped significant snowfall across the region.

Snow continued to fall throughout Saturday in the valley, which is located at an average altitude of 4,200 meters (13,800 feet). By Sunday, rescue personnel had guided approximately 350 hikers to a safe zone.

Initial updates had suggested that the remaining roughly 200 hikers were expected to reach a secure area by Tuesday.

In total, 580 trekkers, along with more than 300 local guides, animal handlers, and other assistants were rescued, according to official reports released on Tuesday evening.

Those Rescued Recount Harsh Conditions

One from China traveler described how their group had been “too anxious to sleep” on Saturday, as snow rapidly accumulated around their tents, compelling them to clear it every 90 minutes. They decided to go down 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 realized the snow was intense in the valley, too; villagers, not able to contact their children on the mountain, were deeply concerned.”

Climbing Plans Disrupted

The snowstorm also thwarted the goals of alpinists led by a United States climbing outfit to ascend Cho Oyu, an 8,188-meter (26,864-foot) peak on the boundary between the People's Republic of China and Nepal.

Tourism Growth in the Area

Karma valley was first discovered by international explorers a century ago. In modern times, with the growth of the Everest region in Tibet as a prominent travel destination, the area has brought in an rising number of visitors. More than 540,000 tourists visited the Everest region last year, marking a all-time high.

Region Remains Closed

The Everest region remains for the time being closed to the visitors, covering the Karma and Rongshar valleys, as well as Cho Oyu.

Broader Effect

The intense snowfall over the weekend also impacted numerous of hikers in other parts of the western regions of China, for example Xinjiang, Qinghai, and Gansu. Tragically, at least one individual lost their life, due to a combination of low body temperature and high-altitude illness.

Unusual Conditions

October is typically a busy season for the area, with normally sunny and moderate weather, but one participant of an 18-person hiking party that made it back to Qudang commented that the weather this year was “atypical.”