Everest climber found alive after six days as family seeks probe into rescue delays

KATHMANDU: The family of Nepali mountaineer Dawa Sherpa, who was found alive after spending six days stranded on Mount Everest, has called for an investigation into what it says were delays in rescue efforts, while doctors say he is in stable condition and recovering in hospital.

The 57-year-old climber disappeared in harsh conditions high on the world’s tallest mountain early on May 30. His family had believed he had died and had already started ritual mourning prayers before he was discovered on Thursday morning crawling towards Base Camp by the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee, a Nepali team involved in fixing Everest routes and clearing waste from the mountain.

Dawa Sherpa, who is also known as Hillary after mountaineering pioneer Edmund Hillary, was airlifted to Kathmandu for treatment. Doctors said he is being treated for frostbite on his fingers, a fractured thigh bone and severe dehydration.

Jyotindra Sharma, director of HAMS Hospital in Kathmandu, said Dawa Sherpa had survived very difficult conditions on Everest.

His clinical condition remains stable, and his dehydration is showing significant improvement.

In a statement, Sharma added:

He will remain in the ICU (intensive care unit) for a few more days for ongoing care and observation.

Family raises concerns over rescue response

His survival prompted relief and celebration among relatives, but also anger over the response after he went missing. His wife, Damu Sherpa, said she was overwhelmed when she received a photograph of him being flown to the capital.

Speaking outside the hospital’s intensive care unit, she said:

I do not remember how this week went — we thought he was no more, and had already begun his last rites.

I was so surprised when I saw the photos and recognised him — he was still wearing a cap I knitted for him.

The climb was among the last of the season, when fewer climbers remained on the mountain. Damu Sherpa accused the expedition company of not sending search teams quickly enough and called for an inquiry.

There should be some investigation against the company — they delayed search and rescue for him.

Karma Gyalje Sherpa, a relative and Everest guide, said the episode had left him upset and questioned whether the response might have been different if the missing climber had been a wealthy foreigner.

It is a miracle that he survived in that environment, without eating properly for six days.

The situation does make me feel angry.

We don’t know, but if he were a foreigner, maybe the response would be different?

Season on Everest

Rinji Sherpa, an Everest guide from the same village as Dawa Sherpa, described him as an experienced climber who understood the risks of the mountains and was committed to helping his clients.

He is very loyal to his clients, and diligent with making sure he performs his responsibility.

He is very lucky, he has had several close calls before — but he has survived.

According to initial tallies by Nepali officials, more than 1,000 climbers reached the summit of Everest this season, making it the busiest season on record. At least five people — two Indians and three Nepali climbers — died during Everest expeditions this season.