"An avalanche filled the crevasse with snow, enabling Sherpa to climb out."
A 57-year-old Nepali mountaineer, Dawa Sherpa, was rescued on June 4 after being missing for approximately six days on Mount Everest. He was found crawling near the Khumbu icefall, close to Base Camp, by a team from the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee. He was subsequently airlifted to a hospital in Kathmandu for medical treatment.
Disappearance and Timeline
Dawa Sherpa, who also goes by the name Hillary Dawa Sherpa, was working as a guide for the Kathmandu-based company Himalayan Traverse Adventure. He was last seen on May 29 at a location called Yellow Band, above Camp 3 at approximately 7,200 meters. He was guiding Polish client Mariusz Chmielewski alongside British climber Chris Thrall and guide Pasang Kaji Sherpa.
According to Sherpa, his oxygen ran out near 7,900 meters. He spent one night at Camp Three (around 7,100 meters) and then moved to the abandoned Camp Two. While crossing the Khumbu icefall, he fell into a crevasse approximately eight meters deep. He spent two nights there, surviving on frozen biscuits, chocolate, dried coffee, and ice.
Rescue and Discovery
A helicopter search on June 3 failed to locate him. On June 4, an avalanche filled the crevasse with snow, enabling Sherpa to climb out. He then crawled down toward Base Camp, where he was found by the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee team. Pemba Sherpa of 8K Expeditions, which helped coordinate the rescue, reported that Dawa Sherpa was found crawling down the snowy slopes. He was given food and water before being flown to a hospital.
Injuries and Medical Condition
Upon rescue, Dawa Sherpa was reported to have frostbite on his hands. At the hospital in Kathmandu, he was treated for severe dehydration and a fractured femur.
Family and Community Reaction
Dawa Sherpa’s family, who had begun funeral rituals, learned of his survival through local news. His wife, Damu Sherpa, and daughter, Mendo Lhamu Sherpa, requested photos to confirm his identity before reuniting with him. Ang Tshering Sherpa, a prominent figure in Nepal's mountaineering community, described the survival as exceptional and attributed it to the physical resilience of Sherpas.
Statements from Other Climbers
British climber Chris Thrall, who had previously believed Dawa Sherpa had died, stated that he last saw him resting during the descent. Thrall said Sherpa encouraged him to continue, after which Thrall found the Polish client without oxygen and suffering from frostbite and helped him down. Thrall noted the weather conditions were changeable and extremely cold.
Investigation and Aftermath
The government has launched an investigation into the delayed search. Dawa Sherpa has stated that he will not return to mountain work.