A mountain guide from Nepal has been pulled to safety from Mount Everest after enduring nearly a week on the world’s tallest peak with no food or supplemental oxygen, according to climbing officials who described the survival as extraordinary.
The 52-year-old guide, Dawa Sherpa, had been descending the mountain with a Polish climber following an unsuccessful summit attempt when he disappeared somewhere between Camp III and Camp IV.
Climbing records show Dawa was last spotted on May 29. While his client made it back to base camp safely, officials have not explained how the two became separated during their descent.
The pair were among the final mountaineers attempting Everest during this year’s climbing season, which concluded last month.
Lama Kazi Sherpa, who works with the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee, reported that his cleanup crew found Dawa positioned above base camp close to the Khumbu Icefall and successfully brought him to safety. The team had been conducting post-season cleanup operations when they made the discovery.
Medical personnel transported Dawa, who was still wearing his climbing gear, from the helicopter landing area to a medical facility using a stretcher.
Family members report that Dawa is recovering and receiving medical care for frostbite along with other health issues related to his ordeal.
“He recognised me … is good and speaks,” said Mhendo Lhamo Sherpa, the guide’s daughter. “We are happy.”
The Himalayan Times reported that throughout seven days, the guide survived with “no food, no bottled oxygen, no rescue team.”
This climbing season saw unprecedented numbers, with more than 1,000 mountaineers and their guides successfully reaching Everest’s summit. The government distributed 494 climbing permits during the period.
Earlier in the season, numerous climbers found themselves stuck at base camp when a massive glacial ice formation blocked access to the summit route during April.
