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Emergency crews have escorted all of the last hikers near the eastern slopes of Mount Everest in Tibet to security, along with scores of local guides and livestock handlers, officials announced. This wraps up one of the most extensive search-and-rescue efforts ever conducted in the area.

Massive Rescue Effort Concluded

Several hundred of trekkers were left stranded in deep snow over the recent weekend in the isolated Karma valley, after an unexpectedly powerful blizzard unleashed heavy snowfall across the region.

Snow kept coming down all day Saturday in the valley, which sits at an mean altitude of 4,200 meters (13,800 feet). By Sunday, rescuers had guided approximately 350 hikers to security.

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

In total, 580 mountaineers, coupled with more than 300 escorts, yak herders, and other crew members were brought out, according to government statements released on Tuesday late in the day.

Survivors Describe Extreme Conditions

One from China traveler recalled how their group had been “too scared to sleep” on Saturday, as snow swiftly built up around their tents, obliging them to shovel it every 90 minutes. They opted to go down on Sunday as the weather became more severe.

“On the way, we encountered our guide’s father, who had set out for him. That’s when we realized the snow was intense in the valley, too; local residents, not able to contact their children on the mountain, were deeply concerned.”

Expedition Schedules Thwarted

The snowstorm also thwarted the objectives of mountaineers escorted by a United States climbing company to ascend 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.

Visitor Increase in the Area

Karma valley was first discovered by foreign adventurers a hundred years ago. In the past few years, with the development of the Everest region in Tibet as a major travel destination, the area has brought in an increasing number of tourists. More than 540,000 visitors visited the Everest region last year, marking a all-time high.

Area Still Closed

The Everest region continues to be currently off-limits to the public, covering the Karma and Rongshar valleys, as well as Cho Oyu.

Broader Effect

The heavy snowfall over the weekend also influenced numerous of travelers in other parts of the western regions of China, including Xinjiang, Qinghai, and Gansu. Tragically, at least one traveler succumbed, due to a combination of exposure and altitude sickness.

Unusual Conditions

October is typically a high season for the area, with usually sunny and moderate weather, but one participant of an 18-person hiking party that got back to Qudang commented that the weather this year was “not normal.”