“Miracle” on Everest: Sherpa found alive after six days missing

Without food, water or oxygen, Nepalese almost miraculously survived extremely hostile conditions on the highest mountain in the world. He was found returning by his own means, near the camp.

It is a remarkable account of survival. A Sherpa guide in Nepal was found alive on Mount Everest this Thursday, against all odds, after being missing for almost a week.

Dawa Sherpa, also known as Hillary Dawawas spotted by a cleanup team while crawling up snow-covered slopes in the vicinity of the Khumbu Icefall, a dangerous icefall just above base camp, said Pemba Sherpa of 8K Expeditions, who coordinated the search.

Although some circumstances surrounding his disappearance remain unclear, mountaineering officials said he managed to survive without food or oxygen in extremely dangerous conditions.

What is known about the disappearance

Dawa Sherpa, in his 50s, was last seen near Camp 3 on May 29. He was returning with a Polish climber after they failed to reach the summit, at 8,849 meters, of the world’s highest mountain.

It is believed to have disappeared somewhere between Camp 3 and Camp 4, and it is not yet clear how the two became separated.

Lama Kazi Sherpa of the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee said Dawa was located by his team above the base camp, from where he was then transported safely below.

Khimlal Gautam, head of the Tourism Department’s office at Everest base camp, told German news agency dpa that news of Dawa Sherpa’s disappearance was received on May 30.

“We carried out an aerial search to the base camp yesterday, but were unable to find it,” said Gautam. “It’s a great relief and good news that you’ve come forward on your own.”

Problems with documentation delayed “miracle”

According to Gautam, rescue efforts were delayed due to complications related to expedition documentation. Dawa Sherpa “had obtained authorization from one company, but was escalating with another. This created complications in the rescue process itself, because rescue operations are expensive,” he said.

“Dawa survived alone for almost a week without food, water or supplemental oxygen, crossing the treacherous Khumbu Ice Falls [mesmo depois de as escadas fixas terem sido retiradas no final da época]”, explained the company Nepal Mount Everest in a post on social media: “This is nothing short of a miracle”.

About a thousand climbers, including guides, reached the summit of Mount Everest at this time. At least five other people have died trying to climb one of the world’s natural wonders.