🔗 Share this article All Mountaineers Now Secure After Days Trapped in Intense Snowstorm Search parties have safely led all of the remaining trekkers near the eastern slopes of Mount Everest in Tibet to security, including numerous of native guides and livestock handlers, officials reported. This marks the end one of the biggest search-and-rescue missions ever conducted in the region. Massive Rescue Effort Concluded Several hundred of explorers were found themselves stuck in deep snow over the recent weekend in the isolated Karma valley, after an exceptionally fierce blizzard dumped substantial snowfall across the area. Snow continued to fall throughout Saturday in the valley, which rests at an average altitude of 4,200 meters (13,800 feet). By Sunday, rescuers had escorted approximately 350 hikers to a safe zone. Previous accounts had indicated that the last group of roughly 200 travelers were projected to reach a secure area by Tuesday. In total, 580 trekkers, in addition to more than 300 escorts, yak herders, and other crew members were evacuated, according to government announcements released on Tuesday late in the day. Survivors Describe Extreme Conditions One Chinese traveler shared how their group had been “too scared to sleep” on Saturday, as snow quickly piled up around their tents, compelling them to shovel it every 90 minutes. They opted to descend on Sunday as the weather worsened. “On the way, we encountered our guide’s father, who had set out for him. That’s when we found out the snow was intense in the valley, too; villagers, not able to contact their children on the mountain, were extremely worried.” Expedition Schedules Thwarted The snowstorm also hindered the plans of mountaineers led by a American expedition outfit to summit 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 Increase in the Area Karma valley was first visited by foreign explorers a hundred years ago. In the past few years, with the growth of the Everest region in Tibet as a significant tourism destination, the area has brought in an increasing number of tourists. More than 540,000 visitors traveled to the Everest region last year, marking a new record. Area Remains Closed The Everest region continues to be currently inaccessible to the public, encompassing the Karma and Rongshar valleys, as well as Cho Oyu. Broader Effect The heavy snowfall over the weekend also affected many of hikers in other parts of the western regions of China, including Xinjiang, Qinghai, and Gansu. Unfortunately, at least one person lost their life, due to a combination of exposure and acute mountain sickness. Atypical Weather October is typically a peak season for the area, with typically sunny and mild weather, but one member of an 18-person hiking party that got back to Qudang noted that the weather this year was “not normal.”