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52-year-old Nepalese Sherpa guide, Dawa Sherpa, disappeared on Mount Everest during the descent and is feared dead after search teams failed to find him for almost six days.
News18
A Nepalese Sherpa guide who disappeared on Mount Everest and was feared dead has been found alive after spending nearly a week alone on the mountain.
The rescue stunned climbers and officials alike, with many describing his survival in the harsh conditions of Everest as nothing less than exceptional.
The search teams have almost given up hope
An astonishing Everest survival story has emerged after a 52-year-old Sherpa guide was found alive six days after he disappeared on the world’s highest mountain.
Dawa Sherpa disappeared while descending Everest with a Polish climber after they failed to reach the summit. He was last seen on May 29 between the third and fourth camps, according to Al Jazeera.
While the climber returned safely to base camp, Dawa never arrived. It is still unclear how the two separated during landing. As days passed without any trace of him appearing, hopes of finding him alive began to diminish.
Most of the climbers had already left the mountain as the climbing season ended, and the seasonal route was being dismantled. Search efforts initially failed to locate the experienced guide. His family eventually began traditional funeral rites, believing he died on the mountain, according to reports.
The cleaning team makes a shocking discovery
The breakthrough came unexpectedly when members of the cleanup team discovered a lone figure moving through the snow on top of the dangerous Khumbu Icefall.
The team was working to remove the remaining ropes, ladders and equipment from the mountain after the climbing season. As they approached, they realized that the person struggling through the snow was a Dawa Sherpa.
This discovery stunned rescuers, especially since he was found far from the area where he was last seen. The distance indicates that he was able to cover a large distance from Mount Everest alone, despite the harsh conditions.
Dawa was reportedly exhausted and suffering from frostbite and was barely able to move when he was rescued.
The family has already begun mourning
After being brought down from the mountain, Dawa was transferred by helicopter to Kathmandu for urgent medical treatment.
Doctors are currently treating him for frostbite and other health problems caused by prolonged exposure to high altitudes, freezing temperatures and low oxygen levels. His daughter, Mindo Lamu Sherpa, said the family was distraught after learning he had survived.
Reuters quoted her as saying: “He knew me well and spoke. We are happy.” The family initially struggled to believe the reports, and reportedly requested photographs before accepting that the rescued man was indeed Dawa.
Survive Everest against the odds
Mountaineering officials reportedly said that Dawa managed to survive in one of the harshest environments on Earth for several days without support.
We are all relieved and grateful that Dawa Sherpa miraculously survived and returned alive after spending days alone on Mount Everest. But while we celebrate the fact that he is alive, many serious questions remain unanswered. Why was Dawa Sherpa left behind at the top of the mountain in… pic.twitter.com/sfSUthirgr
– Poornima Shrestha (@poornimashrestha) June 5, 2026
According to a post on social media by a Nepal-based Mount Everest trekking company, he survived for nearly a week without food, water or supplemental oxygen as he made his way up the dangerous Khumbu Icefall.
“Dawa survived alone for nearly a week without food, water, or supplemental oxygen while navigating the treacherous Khumbu Icefall (even after the fixed ladders were removed for the season),” the company wrote.
News like this puts everything back into perspective. I am so grateful that Dawa Sherpa, known throughout the Everest community as “Hilary,” was found alive after spending nearly a week lost up the mountain. Staying at those altitudes for that length of time is… pic.twitter.com/UdVRkzaelI
– Brian Dickinson (@BrianCDickinson) June 4, 2026
“This is nothing short of a miracle.” The rescue took place at the end of one of Everest’s busiest climbing seasons.
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