The family of a Nepali climber who managed to crawl away from Mount Everest six days after being abandoned is demanding an investigation into rescue operations. Doctors reported Friday that he is in stable condition and recovering in a hospital.
Dawa Sherpa, 57, disappeared in severe weather on the higher slopes of the world’s tallest peak early on May 30. His family believed he had died and even performed last rites.
He was found crawling toward Base Camp Thursday morning by the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee (SPCC), a Nepali team responsible for route maintenance and waste cleanup on Everest. Sherpa, also known as “Hillary” after the legendary climber Edmund Hillary, was transported to Kathmandu for treatment of frostbite on his fingers, a fractured thigh, and severe dehydration.
“His condition remains stable, and his dehydration has significantly improved,” said Jyotindra Sharma, director of HAMS Hospital in Kathmandu. “He endured extremely difficult conditions on Everest.”
He added that Sherpa would stay in the ICU for a few more days for observation and ongoing care. His survival has been celebrated by his family, who also expressed frustration over what they described as rescue teams’ delayed response in locating him.
His wife, Damu Sherpa, told AFP she was overwhelmed with happiness when she received a photo of him being flown to Kathmandu. “I don’t remember much about this past week — we believed he was gone, and had already begun funeral rites,” she said, waiting outside the ICU to see him. “Seeing those photos and recognizing him—that was a huge surprise. He was still wearing a cap I knitted for him.”
Climbing season on Everest was nearing its end, resulting in fewer climbers on the summit. His family criticized the expedition company for allegedly delaying the deployment of search and rescue efforts.
“We need an investigation into the company. They did not start the rescue quickly enough,” his wife claimed.
Karma Gyalje Sherpa, a relative and guide himself, questioned whether a more urgent response would have been triggered if a wealthy foreign climber had been lost. “Surviving in those conditions without proper food for six days is nothing short of a miracle,” he told AFP. He expressed frustration, suspecting that foreigners might receive more prompt assistance.
Rinji Sherpa, another climber from Dawa Sherpa’s village, described him as someone fully aware of mountain dangers who is committed to his clients. “He’s very loyal and responsible. He’s had close calls before, but he’s always managed to survive.”
This season has already claimed at least five lives—two Indians and three Nepali climbers. More than 1,000 climbers summited Everest this year, making it the busiest season on record, according to initial official reports.