Sherpa Guide Found Safe After Going Missing on Mount Everest

A Sherpa guide, Dawa Sherpa, who went missing while descending Mount Everest, has been found alive. His survival has astonished the mountaineering community in Nepal, who called it “a miracle.”

Dawa Sherpa, aged 52, was discovered crawling towards base camp. He has now reunited with his family, who had lost hope regarding his return.

This is nothing short of a miracle surviving so many days on the mountains facing such harsh conditions, said Ang Tshering Sherpa, a notable figure in the community.

Dawa was last observed on May 29 while descending the mountain. His client reached base camp, but Dawa did not. The pair were among the final climbers of the season, with the route being dismantled afterward.

A cleaning crew found Dawa Thursday morning near the Khumbu Icefall. Pemba Sherpa of 8K Expeditions stated that Dawa was carried to safety and provided with nourishment before being flown to HAMS Hospital in Kathmandu. His wife and daughter, who had started funeral rituals, were informed of his survival.

Dawa’s wife, Damu Sherpa, received confirmation from the local news and acquaintances before seeing her husband at the hospital.

A delay occurred in organizing a search for Dawa, with helicopters initially unable to locate him. Despite his family’s despair, the discovery brought relief.

Dawa suffered frostbite and is recuperating in the hospital. The cleaning team belonged to the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee, tasked with clearing and maintaining the climbing route.

He was last seen near Yellow Band above Camp 3 at 23,622 feet, while base camp lies at 17,388 feet.

Working for Himalayan Traverse, Dawa hails from Okhaldhunga, south of Everest, and was guiding a Polish climber.

The Sherpa community, originally yak herders and traders in the Himalayas, became prominent guides after Nepal’s borders opened in the 1950s.

This May saw over 1,000 climbers scale Everest, marking the busiest season. Delays resulted from a large ice block at base camp.

A record was set on May 21 with 274 climbers reaching Nepal’s side of the peak in a single day, but two climbers died during this period, highlighting overcrowding risks.

Kami Rita Sherpa highlighted the need for authorities to manage climber numbers and ensure quality participants.

Mount Everest, peaking at 29,032 feet, was first conquered on May 29, 1953, by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay.