Every Single Mountaineers Currently Out of Danger After Multiple Days Trapped in Intense Blizzard

Emergency crews have successfully guided all of the last hikers near the eastern slopes of Mount Everest in Tibet to security, including numerous of local guides and yak herders, authorities announced. This marks the end one of the most extensive rescue and recovery missions ever undertaken in the zone.

Large-Scale Evacuation Effort Concluded

Hundreds of explorers were became trapped in deep snow over the weekend in the secluded Karma valley, after an exceptionally powerful blizzard deposited heavy snowfall across the territory.

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

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

In total, 580 trekkers, coupled with more than 300 local guides, animal handlers, and other assistants were brought out, according to authoritative statements released on Tuesday evening.

Survivors Recount Extreme Conditions

One Chinese hiker shared how their group had been “too scared to sleep” on Saturday, as snow swiftly built up around their tents, obliging them to remove it every 90 minutes. They decided to move to lower ground on Sunday as the conditions worsened.

“On the way, we met our guide’s father, who had come looking for him. That’s when we found out the snow was deep in the valley, too; villagers, incapable to contact their children on the mountain, were extremely worried.”

Expedition Plans Thwarted

The snowstorm also hindered the plans of alpinists escorted by a United States climbing company to summit Cho Oyu, an 8,188-meter (26,864-foot) peak on the border between the People's Republic of China and Nepal.

Visitor Growth in the Region

Karma valley was first discovered by western adventurers a hundred years ago. In the past few years, with the development of the Everest region in Tibet as a prominent tourism draw, the area has attracted an rising number of tourists. More than 540,000 visitors visited the Everest region last year, establishing a new record.

Area Still Closed

The Everest region continues to be currently inaccessible to the public, encompassing the Karma and Rongshar valleys, as well as Cho Oyu.

Wider Impact

The significant snowfall over the weekend also impacted hundreds of travelers in other parts of the western regions of China, for example Xinjiang, Qinghai, and Gansu. Unfortunately, at least one individual lost their life, due to a combination of exposure and acute mountain sickness.

Atypical Weather

October is typically a high season for the area, with typically clear and pleasant weather, but one participant of an 18-person hiking party that made it back to Qudang noted that the weather this year was “unusual.”