A veteran Nepali climbing guide who had been missing on Mount Everest for six days and was feared dead has been found alive after surviving in extreme conditions and making his way back toward base camp. Dawa Sherpa, 50, known as "Hilary," disappeared on May 30 while descending from the summit of the world's highest mountain. As search efforts yielded no results for several days, family members and fellow climbers feared the worst.
Remarkable Rescue
In a remarkable turn of events, a team from the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee spotted him crawling near Everest Base Camp on Thursday morning. Rescuers immediately evacuated him by helicopter to Kathmandu for urgent medical treatment. Hospital officials said Dawa Sherpa is conscious and receiving care in the intensive care unit. Doctors reported that he is suffering from frostbite, dehydration and the effects of prolonged exposure to extreme cold, but his condition is stable.
Family's Relief
His daughter, Mendo Lhamu, said the family was overwhelmed with relief after learning he had been found alive, having already begun mourning his presumed death. According to former British Royal Marine and climber Chris Thrall, who summited Everest alongside Dawa Sherpa on May 29, the guide became exhausted while descending through the mountain's notorious "death zone" the following day. After briefly stopping, Dawa indicated he would continue on his own, but the pair later became separated.
Challenging Conditions
Thrall said severe weather conditions significantly slowed the descent, turning what would normally be a two-hour journey into an 11-hour struggle. Officials noted that limited climber traffic near the end of the climbing season complicated search efforts. They credited Dawa Sherpa's experience, resilience and determination for helping him survive until he was located. The incident comes during a challenging Everest climbing season in which at least five climbers have lost their lives while attempting to reach the summit.
