🔗 Share this article

Emergency crews have successfully guided all of the last trekkers near the east-facing slopes of Mount Everest in Tibet to safety, including numerous of native guides and yak herders, authorities announced. This concludes one of the most extensive rescue and recovery efforts ever seen in the zone.

Massive Rescue Operation Concluded

Numerous of hikers were became trapped in thick snow over the weekend in the secluded Karma valley, after an exceptionally intense blizzard dumped heavy snowfall across the territory.

Snow kept coming down all day Saturday in the valley, which rests at an typical altitude of 4,200 meters (13,800 feet). By Sunday, emergency teams had escorted approximately 350 hikers to security.

Previous accounts had estimated that the last group of roughly 200 travelers were anticipated to reach their destination by Tuesday.

In total, 580 hikers, in addition to more than 300 escorts, yak herders, and other assistants were rescued, according to authoritative reports released on Tuesday evening.

Survivors Describe Severe Conditions

One Chinese trekker described how their group had been “too frightened to sleep” on Saturday, as snow rapidly accumulated around their tents, compelling them to shovel it every 90 minutes. They opted to go down on Sunday as the weather deteriorated.

“On the way, we came across our guide’s father, who had set out for him. That’s when we learned the snow was heavy in the valley, too; villagers, incapable to contact their children on the mountain, were very anxious.”

Climbing Plans Thwarted

The snowstorm also disrupted the objectives of climbers led by a US-based expedition outfit to ascend Cho Oyu, an 8,188-meter (26,864-foot) peak on the border between China and Nepal.

Visitor Growth in the Area

Karma valley was first discovered by international travelers a long time ago. In recent years, with the development of the Everest region in Tibet as a significant visitor destination, the area has attracted an increasing number of visitors. More than 540,000 visitors traveled to the Everest region last year, marking a all-time high.

Area Remains Off-Limits

The Everest region continues to be temporarily closed to the public, covering the Karma and Rongshar valleys, as well as Cho Oyu.

Wider Effect

The intense snowfall over the weekend also influenced numerous of travelers in other parts of the western regions of China, including Xinjiang, Qinghai, and Gansu. Sadly, at least one person died, due to a blend of exposure and acute mountain sickness.

Unusual Conditions

October is typically a busy season for the area, with typically fine and pleasant weather, but one trekker of an 18-person hiking party that returned safely to Qudang remarked that the weather this year was “unusual.”