Sherpa Guide Found Alive After Disappearance on Everest

A Sherpa guide who went missing last week while descending Mount Everest has been found alive. His survival amid harsh conditions has been praised as miraculous by the Nepalese mountaineering community.

Dawa Sherpa, aged 52, was found crawling back to base camp and has been reunited with his family, who had lost hope for his return. Ang Tshering Sherpa, a notable community leader, emphasized the toughness and resilience of Sherpas in such situations.

Dawa disappeared on May 29 while descending the mountain. Although his client reached base camp, Dawa did not. His discovery came as part of a clean-up operation conducted by 8K Expeditions on Thursday near the Khumbu Icefall.

We were shocked and relieved to find Dawa alive, given the extreme conditions he faced alone on Everest.

After his rescue, Dawa received immediate assistance and was flown to HAMS Hospital in Kathmandu, where his family had started funeral rites. The delay in organizing a search left his family devastated. Despite the late effort, the initial helicopter search failed to locate him.

Mendo Lhamu Sherpa, Dawa’s daughter, explained the family’s disbelief and eventual confirmation of his survival through photographs sent by rescuers. Dawa’s recovery process includes treatment for frostbite at the hospital.

The Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee oversees equipment placement and clean-up operations on Everest. Dawa was last seen near Yellow Band, located at 23,622 feet.

Dawa worked with Himalayan Traverse, a small company in Kathmandu, guiding a Polish climber. Hailing from Okhaldhunga, south of Everest, Dawa’s heritage ties to the Sherpa climbing legacy.

Sherpas transitioned from yak herders to sought-after guides after Nepal’s borders opened in the 1950s. Their stamina and mountain familiarity positioned them prominently in the climbing business.

The current Everest climbing season was historically busy, with over a thousand climbers scaling its peaks in May. The season faced a delayed start due to ice obstacles, culminating in record ascensions at the peak on May 21.

Experts warn of overcrowding risks, noting that less experienced climbers amidst the surge amplify dangers. Kami Rita Sherpa highlighted the necessity for regulated access to control numbers and ensure climber quality.

Everest was first successfully ascended on May 29, 1953, by Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay. The dedication and endurance of guides like Dawa reflect the rich Sherpa heritage.