🔗 Share this article

Emergency crews have successfully guided all of the last hikers near the east-facing slopes of Mount Everest in the Tibet region to a secure location, including scores of regional escorts and animal tenders, local government stated. This marks the end one of the biggest search-and-rescue efforts ever seen in the area.

Large-Scale Rescue Operation Concluded

Hundreds of explorers were became trapped in heavy snow over the weekend in the remote Karma valley, after an exceptionally intense winter blast dumped significant snowfall across the territory.

Snow persisted throughout Saturday in the valley, which rests at an mean altitude of 4,200 meters (13,800 feet). By Sunday, emergency teams had guided approximately 350 hikers to a safe zone.

Initial updates had estimated that the last group of roughly 200 individuals were anticipated to reach their destination by Tuesday.

In total, 580 trekkers, in addition to more than 300 escorts, yak herders, and other support staff were brought out, according to official reports released on Tuesday evening.

Survivors Describe Extreme Situations

One Chinese hiker recalled how their group had been “too anxious to sleep” on Saturday, as snow swiftly built up around their tents, obliging them to shovel it every 90 minutes. They decided to descend on Sunday as the conditions became more severe.

“On the way, we met our guide’s father, who had come looking for him. That’s when we realized the snow was deep in the valley, too; community members, not able to contact their children on the mountain, were extremely worried.”

Climbing Plans Thwarted

The severe weather also thwarted the plans of climbers led by a American mountaineering firm 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 Growth in the Area

Karma valley was first visited by western adventurers a century ago. In the past few years, with the expansion of the Everest region in Tibet as a significant travel draw, the area has attracted an growing number of tourists. More than 540,000 tourists explored the Everest region last year, establishing a all-time high.

Area Still Off-Limits

The Everest region is still for the time being inaccessible to the public, covering the Karma and Rongshar valleys, as well as Cho Oyu.

Broader Effect

The significant snowfall over the weekend also affected many of trekkers in other parts of the western regions of China, such as Xinjiang, Qinghai, and Gansu. Tragically, at least one person succumbed, due to a blend of low body temperature and high-altitude illness.

Unusual Conditions

October is typically a peak season for the area, with normally clear and mild weather, but one member of an 18-person hiking party that returned safely to Qudang noted that the weather this year was “unusual.”