🔗 Share this article

Rescue teams have escorted all of the remaining adventurers near the east-facing slopes of Everest in Tibet to a secure location, including hundreds of native guides and livestock handlers, local government stated. This marks the end one of the biggest rescue and recovery operations ever seen in the area.

Massive Evacuation Operation Concluded

Several hundred of explorers were became trapped in heavy snow over the weekend in the remote Karma valley, after an unusually powerful winter blast dumped heavy snowfall across the region.

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

Initial updates had estimated that the last group of roughly 200 hikers were expected to reach a secure area by Tuesday.

In total, 580 trekkers, along with more than 300 local guides, livestock herders, and other crew members were evacuated, according to authoritative announcements released on Tuesday late in the day.

Survivors Describe Severe Conditions

One from China hiker shared how their group had been “too frightened to sleep” on Saturday, as snow swiftly built up around their tents, compelling them to clear it every 90 minutes. They chose to descend on Sunday as the weather deteriorated.

“On the way, we encountered our guide’s father, who had ventured for him. That’s when we found out the snow was intense in the valley, too; local residents, unable to contact their children on the mountain, were extremely worried.”

Climbing Plans Thwarted

The severe weather also hindered the plans of climbers escorted by a US-based expedition outfit to summit Cho Oyu, an 8,188-meter (26,864-foot) peak on the boundary between the People's Republic of China and the nation of Nepal.

Tourism Increase in the Region

Karma valley was first discovered by international travelers a long time ago. In recent years, with the growth of the Everest region in Tibet as a prominent visitor attraction, the area has drawn an increasing number of tourists. More than 540,000 visitors traveled to the Everest region last year, setting a all-time high.

Region Still Off-Limits

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

Broader Impact

The intense snowfall over the weekend also influenced many of travelers in other parts of western China, for example Xinjiang, Qinghai, and Gansu. Unfortunately, at least one traveler succumbed, due to a combination of hypothermia and acute mountain sickness.

Unusual Conditions

October is typically a peak season for the area, with typically sunny and moderate weather, but one trekker of an 18-person hiking party that got back to Qudang remarked that the weather this year was “atypical.”