Mount Everest Survivor: Climber Recounts Miraculous Rescue After Six Days Lost

A former British soldier has shared the dramatic account of his separation from a Nepali mountain guide during the descent of Mount Everest, leading to an astonishing survival story. Dawa Sherpa was found alive on Thursday, after an ordeal lasting six days in the perilous „death zone“ of the world’s tallest mountain.

Chris Thrall, the climber who was with Sherpa, described his disbelief at the guide’s survival against all odds. „It’s kind of crazy one minute to be fighting back tears with his daughter, and then the next minute to see him crawling into town. It’s absolutely amazing, beyond words,“ Thrall told BBC’s Newshour.

The Moment of Separation

Thrall recounted the last time he saw Dawa Sherpa. The guide had stopped for a brief rest, sitting on his backpack as they made their way back towards base camp. Thrall, who also knew Sherpa by the name Hillary Dawa Sherpa, continued his descent alone. He estimates he had moved about 50-100 meters downhill when he encountered another member of their group, a Polish climber suffering from severe frostbite and without oxygen.

„So immediately my attention turned to the weakest member of the trio. And that was that,“ Thrall explained. As he assisted the injured climber downwards, Thrall looked back up the mountain. „Hillary Dawa didn’t appear to have moved, and certainly wasn’t descending, because we would have seen his head torch.“ Dawa Sherpa was last seen above Camp 3, at an altitude of approximately 7,500 meters.

Six Days of Silence

For the following six days, there was no sign of Dawa Sherpa. His wife had begun to perform last rites prayers for his soul, according to AFP. Meanwhile, Sherpa had been slowly making his own way back. On Thursday, he was spotted by a cleaning crew as he was slowly sliding down the mountain.

Thrall initially dismissed social media reports of Sherpa’s survival as „spam.“ „It really does defy the odds. I met the family yesterday to offer my utmost condolences,“ he stated, adding he was „very happy for Hillary, looking forward to speaking to him.“

A True Self-Rescue

Pemba Sherpa, executive director of 8K Expeditions, which was involved in the search efforts, hailed the event as a „true self-rescue.“ He commented, „Dawa managed to survive against all odds for days. It’s nothing short of a miracle.“

Current Condition

Dawa Sherpa is currently „awake and undergoing treatment,“ according to Dr. Nishant Dhakal at Kathmandu’s HAMS Hospital. „We are managing his frostbites, cold injuries, hydration and trauma. He is being further evaluated and will be in our ICU,“ Dhakal reported. Sherpa’s daughter, Mhendo Lhamo Sherpa, shared her joy after visiting him, telling Reuters news agency, „He recognised me … is good and speaks. We are happy.“

Record-Breaking Season

This season has seen a record number of ascents, with over 1,000 climbers summiting Everest. However, the busy climbing period has also seen tragedies, with five deaths reported so far, according to AFP. Other notable ascents this season include Michael Woods, who climbed without an interpreter and spoke of feeling „quite alone“ at times, and Dr. Shaunna Burke, who reached the summit for the second time while undergoing cancer treatment, raising funds for a charity. Kami Rita Sherpa and Lakpa Sherpa also achieved significant milestones, reaching the summit for their 32nd and 11th times, respectively. With nearly 1,000 more climbers expected to attempt the peak in the coming weeks, safety concerns remain prominent.

Datos clave
| Aspecto | Detalle |
|—|—|
| Nombre del escalador | Dawa Sherpa (Hillary Dawa Sherpa) |
| Duración perdido | 6 días |
| Ubicación | Zona de la muerte, por encima del Campamento 3 (aprox. 7,500m) |
| Estado actual | Recuperándose en el hospital, consciente y hablando |

This incident highlights the extreme dangers and unpredictable nature of high-altitude mountaineering, while also celebrating the resilience of the human spirit. The story of Dawa Sherpa’s survival offers a rare moment of triumph amidst the challenges faced by climbers on Mount Everest.

Fuente: BBC News – https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn9p91295q8o

Datos clave