A Sherpa mountain guide who went missing while descending Mount Everest was discovered crawling back to base camp a week later. Dawa Sherpa, also known as Hillary Dawa Sherpa, vanished on May 29 along with his client during the mountain’s closing days of the season. He was found by a cleaning crew sliding down the snowy slopes near base camp, suffering from frostbite but in overall good health.
Initially presumed dead, Dawa’s family was shocked to hear of his survival. His daughter, Mendo Lhamu Sherpa, mentioned they were in the midst of a funeral ceremony when news of his return surfaced. Pemba Sherpa from 8K Expeditions, leading the search effort, detailed finding Dawa near the Khumbu Icefall and assisting him down to safety.
After receiving initial care at camp, Dawa was airlifted to HAMS Hospital in Kathmandu for further treatment and reunion with his family. His wife, Damu Sherpa, expressed disbelief and relief upon learning of his rescue. Mendo Lhamu shared the family’s skepticism until they received confirmation through photos.
Dawa, a guide for Himalayan Traverse, had been accompanying a Polish climber when he disappeared near Yellow Band above Camp 3, roughly 1,900 meters from base camp. Hailing from Okhaldhunga, south of Everest, his survival was deemed miraculous by Nepal’s mountaineering community. Ang Tshering Sherpa praised Dawa’s resilience, attributing his survival to the inherent toughness of Sherpas accustomed to mountain hardships.