🔗 Share this article All Mountaineers Currently Safe Following Multiple Days Caught in Intense Snowstorm Search parties have successfully guided all of the remaining hikers near the east-facing slopes of Everest in Tibet to safety, along with scores of local guides and animal tenders, local government reported. This wraps up one of the most extensive rescue and recovery efforts ever seen in the area. Large-Scale Rescue Effort Completed Numerous of trekkers were became trapped in heavy snow over the recent weekend in the isolated Karma valley, after an exceptionally powerful snowstorm unleashed heavy snowfall across the territory. Snow kept coming down all day Saturday in the valley, which rests at an average altitude of 4,200 meters (13,800 feet). By Sunday, rescuers had guided approximately 350 hikers to a safe zone. Previous accounts had estimated that the remaining roughly 200 individuals were anticipated to reach a secure area by Tuesday. In total, 580 trekkers, in addition to more than 300 escorts, livestock herders, and other support staff were evacuated, according to government statements released on Tuesday night. Survivors Describe Extreme Conditions One Chinese trekker recalled 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 decided to go down on Sunday as the situation deteriorated. “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; community members, not able to contact their children on the mountain, were extremely worried.” Expedition Plans Disrupted The blizzard also disrupted the plans of alpinists led by a American expedition firm to reach the top of Cho Oyu, an 8,188-meter (26,864-foot) peak on the border between China and the nation of Nepal. Visitor Growth in the Region Karma valley was first discovered by foreign travelers a long time ago. In recent years, with the growth of the Everest region in Tibet as a significant visitor attraction, the area has brought in an rising number of travelers. More than 540,000 sightseers visited the Everest region last year, marking a new record. Region Remains Off-Limits The Everest region is still temporarily inaccessible to the general public, encompassing the Karma and Rongshar valleys, as well as Cho Oyu. Broader Impact The intense snowfall over the weekend also influenced numerous of trekkers in other parts of the western regions of China, for example Xinjiang, Qinghai, and Gansu. Unfortunately, at least one person succumbed, due to a mix of low body temperature and altitude sickness. Atypical Conditions October is typically a busy season for the area, with usually sunny and moderate weather, but one participant of an 18-person expedition team that returned safely to Qudang commented that the weather this year was “atypical.”