🔗 Share this article

Emergency crews have successfully guided all of the remaining trekkers near the eastern slopes of Everest in Tibet to a secure location, including numerous of native guides and animal tenders, authorities stated. This concludes one of the biggest search-and-rescue operations ever conducted in the region.

Large-Scale Evacuation Operation Concluded

Numerous of explorers were became trapped in thick snow over the recent weekend in the remote Karma valley, after an exceptionally intense blizzard unleashed heavy snowfall across the area.

Snow continued to fall all day Saturday in the valley, which sits at an typical altitude of 4,200 meters (13,800 feet). By Sunday, rescuers had led approximately 350 hikers to safety.

Earlier reports had estimated that the remaining roughly 200 individuals were expected to reach safety by Tuesday.

In total, 580 mountaineers, coupled with more than 300 local guides, livestock herders, and other crew members were brought out, according to official announcements released on Tuesday night.

Survivors Recount Harsh Situations

One Chinese hiker shared how their group had been “too anxious to sleep” on Saturday, as snow quickly piled up around their tents, forcing them to clear it every 90 minutes. They opted to go down on Sunday as the conditions deteriorated.

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

Expedition Plans Disrupted

The blizzard also thwarted the plans of climbers led by a American climbing firm to summit Cho Oyu, an 8,188-meter (26,864-foot) peak on the border between the People's Republic of China and the nation of Nepal.

Tourism Increase in the Region

Karma valley was first discovered by foreign explorers a long time ago. In recent years, with the growth of the Everest region in Tibet as a significant visitor draw, the area has brought in an increasing number of travelers. More than 540,000 sightseers traveled to the Everest region last year, setting a all-time high.

Region Still Closed

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

Wider Effect

The heavy snowfall over the weekend also influenced numerous of travelers in other parts of the western regions of China, such as Xinjiang, Qinghai, and Gansu. Sadly, at least one individual succumbed, due to a combination of hypothermia and high-altitude illness.

Unusual Weather

October is typically a high season for the area, with normally fine and mild weather, but one member of an 18-person hiking party that made it back to Qudang noted that the weather this year was “atypical.”