On Thursday, June 4, a tour guide who went missing on Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak, was rescued after enduring nearly a week without food or supplemental oxygen. The miraculous survival in such harsh conditions has amazed the climbing community, calling it nothing short of a miracle.
52-year-old Dawa Sherpa had been leading a Polish climber in an attempt to summit the 8,849-meter (29,032-foot) peak. Unfortunately, he disappeared between Camp 3 and Camp 4 on the descent after the summit bid was unsuccessful.
Dawa was last seen on May 29. His client safely returned to base camp, but Dawa was nowhere to be found. Official search efforts by helicopter initially yielded no results, leading to concerns that he might have perished on the mountain. The circumstances of how they got separated remain unknown.
They were among the last group of climbers on Mount Everest for this climbing season. As the climbing season ended at the end of last month, the fixed routes and equipment on the mountain have begun to be dismantled.
Lama Kazi Sherpa of the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee revealed that Dawa was found near the Khumbu Icefall, one of the most treacherous and dangerous sections of Everest, as his team was conducting post-season clean-up work near base camp.
When he was discovered, Dawa was seen crawling towards base camp with his last strength on the snowy terrain. Rescue teams swiftly brought him to safety, providing much-needed food and water before airlifting him to HAMS Hospital in Kathmandu.
Before the rescue, Dawa’s family had lost hope and even started funeral arrangements for him. His wife Damu Sherpa told the AFP that she had begun performing rituals for his soul before receiving news of his survival.
Dawa’s daughter Mendo Lhamu Sherpa, speaking to the media, shared that when they first heard of his rescue, they couldn’t believe it was him. It was only after seeing a photo that they confirmed it was indeed him and felt overjoyed. The family initially learned about his survival through local news reports and calls from friends.
Upon arrival at the hospital, Dawa was still wearing the climbing gear he had on when he went missing and was wheeled into the emergency room. Family members stated that he is conscious, talking, and receiving treatment for frostbite and other complications. Mendo Lhamu mentioned to Reuters, “He recognized me… he is in good condition and talking. We are very happy.”
Nepal Mount Everest Hiking Company posted on social media, calling Dawa’s survival extremely rare. Crossing the dangerous Khumbu Icefall alone without food, water, or supplemental oxygen while the fixed rescue routes were removed for the season was truly a miracle.
Before Nepal opened its borders in the 1950s, members of the Sherpa community mainly lived as yak herders and traders deep in the Himalayas. Their remarkable endurance and familiarity with the mountains quickly made them sought-after guides and porters for global climbers, leading to their dominance in the Himalayan mountaineering industry.
Officials reported a record-breaking 494 climbing permits issued by the Nepalese government this season, with over 1,000 climbers and their guides successfully summiting Everest, making it the busiest climbing season ever. Due to a massive ice blockage above base camp in April, clearing efforts took about two weeks, causing a delayed start to this year’s season.
Official data shows that five climbers and guides tragically lost their lives on Everest this season.