Rescue teams in Tibet have successfully evacuated all remaining hikers stranded near the eastern face of Mount Everest, Chinese authorities said on Tuesday, marking the end of one of the largest search-and-rescue operations ever conducted in the remote Himalayan region.
Hundreds of trekkers became trapped in the isolated Karma Valley over the weekend after a powerful blizzard dumped unusually heavy snow, cutting off trails and communications.
The valley, located at an average altitude of 4,200 meters (13,800 feet), saw continuous snowfall throughout Saturday, leaving groups of hikers, local guides, and yak herders stranded in freezing conditions.
By Sunday, rescuers had guided about 350 trekkers to safety, while the remaining 200 were reached by Tuesday. In total, 580 hikers, along with more than 300 guides, yak herders, and support staff, were evacuated safely, according to China’s official Xinhua news agency.
The snowstorm also forced the suspension of climbing expeditions elsewhere in the region, including a group led by U.S.-based Madison Mountaineering that had planned to summit Cho Oyu, the world’s sixth-highest mountain at 8,188 meters (26,864 feet), on the border between China and Nepal.
Karma Valley, first explored by Western travelers in the early 20th century, has in recent years become an increasingly popular destination as tourism in Tibet’s Everest region has expanded. Last year, the area welcomed more than 540,000 visitors — a record high.
Authorities have temporarily closed the Everest region to the public, including the Karma and Rongshar valleys as well as Cho Oyu, to ensure safety and assess damage from the storm, Xinhua reported.
The same weather system affected parts of western China, including Xinjiang, Qinghai, and Gansu provinces, where hundreds of additional hikers were caught in severe conditions.
At least one person died from hypothermia and acute mountain sickness, officials said.
Source: Reuters
Written By Rodney Mbua
