A Sherpa guide named Dawa Sherpa, who went missing while descending Mount Everest, has been found alive. The mountaineering community in Nepal is calling his survival nothing short of a miracle. The 52-year-old was discovered while crawling down to base camp and reunited with his family who had lost hope for his return.
Discovery and Rescue
Dawa was last seen on May 29 while descending the mountain. His client reached base camp, but Dawa did not appear. Both were among the final climbers as the season concluded. His discovery on Thursday by a cleaning crew occurred near the Khumbu Icefall, just above base camp, according to Pemba Sherpa of 8K Expeditions, which organized the search.
“This is nothing short of a miracle surviving so many days on the mountains facing such harsh conditions,” stated Ang Tshering Sherpa, a leading figure in the community.
Immediately after his discovery, Dawa received food and water and was carried to safety. A helicopter flew him to HAMS Hospital in Kathmandu, where his wife and daughter were waiting. His daughter, Mendo Lhamu Sherpa, said, “We first heard about the rescue on the local news,” adding that they were on the second day of a funeral ritual when the news arrived.
Challenges and Record Climb Season
The delay in organizing a search team for Dawa remains unexplained, but despite helicopter searches, finding him took time. Although the family had initiated traditional funeral rites, they expressed great relief and joy upon confirming Dawa’s survival.
Dawa, suffering from frostbite, though conscious at the hospital, was last seen on the “Yellow Band,” which is above Camp 3 on the mountain. He works for Himalayan Traverse, a small company based in Kathmandu, and hailed from Okhaldhunga, south of Everest.
This year witnessed over 1,000 climbers, setting a record for the busiest climbing season on Everest. On May 21, 274 climbers ascended via Nepal’s side in a single day, despite warnings about overcrowding risks. Experts have cautioned that the growing numbers increase dangers, such as inexperienced climbers joining the ranks.
“There is a need for authorities to control this number,” said Kami Rita Sherpa. “They should let in only climbers of quality — there should be a limit.”
Everest’s peak was first summited by New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay on May 29, 1953. Dawa Sherpa’s inspiring resilience highlights the community’s enduring strength and expertise in navigating such treacherous terrains.