Dawa Sherpa Everest Rescue: Guide Found Alive After Six Days
Dawa Sherpa Everest rescue ended on Thursday when a cleaning crew spotted the Nepali climbing guide sliding slowly down toward Base Camp through the Khumbu Icefall. He had last been seen above Camp 3 at around 7,500m after summiting Mount Everest. He was later taken to Kathmandu's HAMS Hospital, where he was awake and undergoing treatment.
Pemba Sherpa on the rescue
Pemba Sherpa, executive director of 8K Expeditions, said Dawa Sherpa had survived six days alone at altitude. “Dawa managed to survive against all odds for days. It's nothing short of a miracle,” he said, adding, “This is a true self-rescue.”
He said, “As far as I know, no one has survived alone at that altitude on Everest so far. This is a miracle to have survived for six days alone and descended safe. I think he must have lived inside the tents to keep himself safe,” placing the recovery among the rarest outcomes on the mountain this season.
HAMS Hospital in Kathmandu
Nishant Dhakal, a doctor in the intensive care unit of Kathmandu's HAMS Hospital, said Dawa Sherpa was “awake and undergoing treatment.” Dhakal also said Sherpa recognised him and speaks. His daughter, Mhendo Lhamo Sherpa, visited him in hospital and said, “He recognised me … is good and speaks,” adding, “We are happy.”
Chris Thrall on Camp 4
Chris Thrall, a climber and former British Royal Marine, had posted a tribute on Instagram on Wednesday while thinking Dawa Sherpa had died on the mountain. In his account, he said Sherpa had “sat down for a rest with his backpack” as they descended from Camp 4. He also said the descent from what should have been a five-day summit trip took 11 days, showing how long the climb and return had already stretched before Sherpa disappeared.
EightK Expeditions was overseeing search efforts before airlifting Dawa Sherpa to safety. Kung Sherpa, a relative, had expressed dissatisfaction over the pace of the search. The rescue now leaves one clear fact for climbers and support teams on Everest: Sherpa was found alive after a disappearance long enough that people had already begun mourning him.
