🔗 Share this article Every Single Hikers Currently Out of Danger Following Days Trapped in Severe Blizzard Emergency crews have safely led all of the remaining trekkers near the east-facing slopes of Mount Everest in the Tibet region to a secure location, including numerous of native guides and livestock handlers, local government reported. This marks the end one of the largest search-and-rescue operations ever undertaken in the region. Large-Scale Rescue Effort Concluded Hundreds of explorers were found themselves stuck in heavy snow over the past few days in the remote Karma valley, after an unusually intense blizzard unleashed substantial snowfall across the area. Snow persisted all day Saturday in the valley, which is located at an average altitude of 4,200 meters (13,800 feet). By Sunday, rescuers had led approximately 350 hikers to security. Initial updates had estimated that the last group of roughly 200 individuals were projected to reach their destination by Tuesday. In total, 580 mountaineers, in addition to more than 300 guides, yak herders, and other crew members were rescued, according to official announcements released on Tuesday night. Those Rescued Describe Extreme Situations One from China hiker recalled how their group had been “too scared to sleep” on Saturday, as snow swiftly built up around their tents, compelling them to clear it every 90 minutes. They opted to descend on Sunday as the weather deteriorated. “On the way, we encountered our guide’s father, who had set out for him. That’s when we realized the snow was heavy in the valley, too; local residents, not able to contact their children on the mountain, were extremely worried.” Expedition Schedules Disrupted The snowstorm also hindered the goals of climbers guided by a American mountaineering outfit to reach the top of Cho Oyu, an 8,188-meter (26,864-foot) peak on the border between China and Nepal. Tourism Increase in the Region Karma valley was first visited by western explorers a long time ago. In modern times, with the development of the Everest region in Tibet as a significant visitor attraction, the area has drawn an increasing number of tourists. More than 540,000 tourists visited the Everest region last year, setting a new record. Area Remains Off-Limits The Everest region is still for the time being closed to the general public, covering the Karma and Rongshar valleys, as well as Cho Oyu. Wider Effect The significant snowfall over the weekend also influenced numerous of travelers in other parts of the western regions of China, such as Xinjiang, Qinghai, and Gansu. Tragically, at least one individual succumbed, due to a combination of exposure and high-altitude illness. Atypical Conditions October is typically a busy season for the area, with usually clear and pleasant weather, but one participant of an 18-person expedition team that got back to Qudang remarked that the weather this year was “unusual.”