All Hikers Currently Out of Danger Following Multiple Days Stranded in Severe Snowstorm

Rescue teams have escorted all of the remaining adventurers near the eastern slopes of Everest in Tibet to safety, along with scores of local guides and yak herders, local government stated. This wraps up one of the biggest search-and-rescue operations ever seen in the zone.

Large-Scale Rescue Effort Completed

Hundreds of hikers were became trapped in deep snow over the past few days in the secluded Karma valley, after an unexpectedly intense snowstorm unleashed heavy snowfall across the area.

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

Earlier reports had estimated that the remaining roughly 200 hikers were anticipated to reach a secure area by Tuesday.

In total, 580 hikers, along with more than 300 escorts, livestock herders, and other crew members were brought out, according to official reports released on Tuesday night.

Those Rescued Recount Severe Situations

One Chinese hiker described how their group had been “too scared to sleep” on Saturday, as snow rapidly accumulated around their tents, forcing them to clear it every 90 minutes. They chose to go down on Sunday as the weather became more severe.

“On the way, we met our guide’s father, who had set out for him. That’s when we realized the snow was heavy in the valley, too; community members, unable to contact their children on the mountain, were deeply concerned.”

Climbing Schedules Thwarted

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

Visitor Growth in the Region

Karma valley was first explored by international adventurers a long time ago. In the past few years, with the growth of the Everest region in Tibet as a significant travel draw, the area has brought in an growing number of tourists. More than 540,000 visitors explored the Everest region last year, marking a all-time high.

Area Remains Off-Limits

The Everest region remains for the time being inaccessible to the public, including the Karma and Rongshar valleys, as well as Cho Oyu.

Broader Impact

The heavy snowfall over the weekend also affected hundreds of trekkers in other parts of the western regions of China, such as Xinjiang, Qinghai, and Gansu. Tragically, at least one person died, due to a mix of low body temperature and high-altitude illness.

Unusual Conditions

October is typically a high season for the area, with normally clear and moderate weather, but one member of an 18-person trekking group that made it back to Qudang noted that the weather this year was “not normal.”