Every Single Mountaineers Currently Safe After Multiple Days Caught in Powerful Blizzard
Rescue teams have escorted all of the last hikers near the east-facing slopes of Mount Everest in the Tibet region to security, along with numerous of regional escorts and livestock handlers, local government stated. This marks the end one of the largest rescue and recovery efforts ever conducted in the zone.
Large-Scale Evacuation Operation Completed
Numerous of explorers were became trapped in heavy snow over the past few days in the remote Karma valley, after an unusually intense snowstorm unleashed substantial snowfall across the territory.
Snow continued to fall all day Saturday in the valley, which is located at an average altitude of 4,200 meters (13,800 feet). By Sunday, rescue personnel had escorted approximately 350 hikers to a safe zone.
Earlier reports had suggested that the remaining roughly 200 hikers were anticipated to reach their destination by Tuesday.
In total, 580 hikers, along with more than 300 escorts, animal handlers, and other support staff were rescued, according to authoritative reports released on Tuesday evening.
Survivors Describe Harsh Conditions
One Chinese traveler shared how their group had been “too anxious to sleep” on Saturday, as snow swiftly built up around their tents, compelling them to remove it every 90 minutes. They chose to move to lower ground on Sunday as the weather worsened.
“On the way, we met our guide’s father, who had set out for him. That’s when we realized the snow was intense in the valley, too; community members, not able to contact their children on the mountain, were extremely worried.”
Expedition Schedules Thwarted
The blizzard also thwarted the goals of alpinists led by a United States expedition company to ascend Cho Oyu, an 8,188-meter (26,864-foot) peak on the boundary between the People's Republic of China and the nation of Nepal.
Tourism Growth in the Area
Karma valley was first discovered by foreign adventurers a century ago. In the past few years, with the expansion of the Everest region in Tibet as a significant tourism destination, the area has brought in an increasing number of visitors. More than 540,000 visitors explored the Everest region last year, establishing a all-time high.
Region Still Closed
The Everest region remains for the time being closed to the public, including the Karma and Rongshar valleys, as well as Cho Oyu.
Wider Impact
The heavy snowfall over the weekend also impacted hundreds of travelers in other parts of western China, for example Xinjiang, Qinghai, and Gansu. Tragically, at least one traveler died, due to a combination of exposure and acute mountain sickness.
Unusual Weather
October is typically a peak season for the area, with usually fine and mild weather, but one participant of an 18-person hiking party that got back to Qudang noted that the weather this year was “not normal.”
