Nepali Everest guide found alive after six days missing

Dawa Sherpa, a 52-year-old Nepali Sherpa guide, has been found alive after disappearing on Mount Everest six days ago. His wife and daughter had already started funeral rituals for him before receiving news of his survival.

He was discovered by a clearing crew on Thursday morning, crawling down snowy slopes near the Khumbu Icefall. According to Pemba Sherpa of 8K Expeditions, which coordinated the search, Dawa was carried to safety and subsequently flown by helicopter to HAMS Hospital in Kathmandu.

His wife, Damu Sherpa, recounted hearing the news of his survival from local media and a personal contact. "When we first heard about it, we could not be sure if that person was indeed our father," said his teenage daughter, Mendo Lhamu Sherpa, explaining they requested photos to confirm the news. "So to be certain, we asked for photos to be sent, and then only we were sure and very happy."

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We first heard that he was still alive on the local news and from a person we know who called with the news that … he is being brought down.

Dawa was last seen descending the mountain around May 29. His client, a Polish climber, had reached base camp. A delay in organizing a search team and unsuccessful helicopter searches had diminished hopes for his family.

The team that found him was part of the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee, responsible for route maintenance and cleanup. This season has been the busiest on Everest, with over 1,000 climbers and guides scaling the peak. At least five deaths have been reported this season.

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When we first heard about it, we could not be sure if that person was indeed our father. So to be certain, we asked for photos to be sent, and then only we were sure and very happy.