🔗 Share this article

Search parties have successfully guided all of the last hikers near the east-facing slopes of Everest in the Tibet region to safety, along with numerous of local guides and livestock handlers, authorities reported. This marks the end one of the most extensive search-and-rescue efforts ever seen in the zone.

Massive Evacuation Operation Completed

Numerous of hikers were left stranded in deep snow over the recent weekend in the remote Karma valley, after an unusually fierce snowstorm unleashed substantial snowfall across the region.

Snow continued to fall 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 safety.

Previous accounts had indicated that the last group of roughly 200 travelers were anticipated to reach a secure area by Tuesday.

In total, 580 hikers, coupled with more than 300 escorts, yak herders, and other crew members were brought out, according to official reports released on Tuesday evening.

Survivors Describe Harsh Situations

One from China hiker shared how their group had been “too frightened to sleep” on Saturday, as snow rapidly accumulated around their tents, compelling them to remove it every 90 minutes. They chose to go down on Sunday as the conditions worsened.

“On the way, we met our guide’s father, who had set out for him. That’s when we realized the snow was heavy in the valley, too; villagers, unable to contact their children on the mountain, were deeply concerned.”

Expedition Schedules Disrupted

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

Tourism Growth in the Area

Karma valley was first discovered by foreign explorers a hundred years ago. In the past few years, with the growth of the Everest region in Tibet as a major travel attraction, the area has drawn an growing number of travelers. More than 540,000 tourists visited the Everest region last year, establishing a all-time high.

Area Remains Closed

The Everest region remains currently closed to the general public, encompassing the Karma and Rongshar valleys, as well as Cho Oyu.

Wider Effect

The intense snowfall over the weekend also affected numerous of hikers in other parts of western China, including Xinjiang, Qinghai, and Gansu. Unfortunately, at least one person succumbed, due to a blend of exposure and acute mountain sickness.

Unusual Weather

October is typically a high season for the area, with usually sunny and pleasant weather, but one participant of an 18-person expedition team that returned safely to Qudang noted that the weather this year was “atypical.”