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Search parties have escorted all of the remaining adventurers near the eastern slopes of Everest in Tibet to security, including numerous of local guides and livestock handlers, authorities reported. This marks the end one of the largest rescue and recovery missions ever seen in the zone.

Massive Rescue Effort Completed

Hundreds of hikers were left stranded in thick snow over the past few days in the isolated Karma valley, after an unusually intense blizzard unleashed significant snowfall across the territory.

Snow kept coming down throughout Saturday in the valley, which is located at an average altitude of 4,200 meters (13,800 feet). By Sunday, rescue personnel had guided approximately 350 hikers to a safe zone.

Earlier reports had suggested that the remaining roughly 200 individuals were projected to reach a secure area by Tuesday.

In total, 580 trekkers, coupled with more than 300 local guides, animal handlers, and other assistants were evacuated, according to authoritative announcements released on Tuesday night.

Survivors Recount Severe Situations

One from China hiker shared how their group had been “too anxious to sleep” on Saturday, as snow swiftly built up around their tents, obliging them to remove it every 90 minutes. They opted to descend on Sunday as the situation 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; local residents, unable to contact their children on the mountain, were extremely worried.”

Climbing Plans Disrupted

The snowstorm also thwarted the objectives of mountaineers led by a American expedition outfit to reach the top of Cho Oyu, an 8,188-meter (26,864-foot) peak on the frontier between the People's Republic of China and the nation of Nepal.

Tourism Increase in the Region

Karma valley was first discovered by western travelers a hundred years ago. In modern times, with the development of the Everest region in Tibet as a prominent visitor destination, the area has drawn an rising number of visitors. More than 540,000 sightseers explored the Everest region last year, setting a all-time high.

Area Still Off-Limits

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

Wider Effect

The significant snowfall over the weekend also influenced numerous of hikers in other parts of the western regions of China, such as Xinjiang, Qinghai, and Gansu. Sadly, at least one person lost their life, due to a combination of low body temperature and altitude sickness.

Atypical Conditions

October is typically a peak season for the area, with usually clear and pleasant weather, but one member of an 18-person expedition team that returned safely to Qudang noted that the weather this year was “unusual.”