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Emergency crews have escorted all of the remaining trekkers near the eastern slopes of Everest in Tibet to safety, along with scores of local guides and animal tenders, authorities reported. This marks the end one of the biggest search-and-rescue efforts ever undertaken in the region.

Massive Rescue Effort Concluded

Several hundred of explorers were became trapped in thick snow over the recent weekend in the remote Karma valley, after an exceptionally intense winter blast dumped significant snowfall across the area.

Snow persisted all day Saturday in the valley, which sits at an average altitude of 4,200 meters (13,800 feet). By Sunday, emergency teams had guided approximately 350 hikers to a safe zone.

Initial updates had estimated that the remaining roughly 200 hikers were projected to reach safety by Tuesday.

In total, 580 trekkers, in addition to more than 300 guides, livestock herders, and other support staff were brought out, according to authoritative statements released on Tuesday late in the day.

Those Rescued Recount Harsh Conditions

One Chinese trekker shared how their group had been “too scared to sleep” on Saturday, as snow rapidly accumulated around their tents, obliging them to remove 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 come looking for him. That’s when we learned the snow was intense in the valley, too; villagers, incapable to contact their children on the mountain, were extremely worried.”

Expedition Schedules Thwarted

The severe weather also thwarted the goals of alpinists guided by a United States expedition firm to reach the top of Cho Oyu, an 8,188-meter (26,864-foot) peak on the frontier between China and the nation of Nepal.

Visitor Growth in the Region

Karma valley was first explored by western explorers a century ago. In modern times, with the growth of the Everest region in Tibet as a significant visitor draw, the area has drawn an growing number of travelers. More than 540,000 tourists explored the Everest region last year, establishing a all-time high.

Area Remains Closed

The Everest region is still temporarily closed to the general public, including the Karma and Rongshar valleys, as well as Cho Oyu.

Broader Effect

The intense snowfall over the weekend also impacted numerous of hikers in other parts of the western regions of China, for example Xinjiang, Qinghai, and Gansu. Sadly, at least one traveler died, due to a blend of exposure and altitude sickness.

Atypical Weather

October is typically a high season for the area, with usually fine and moderate weather, but one participant of an 18-person trekking group that made it back to Qudang noted that the weather this year was “atypical.”