18/08/2026
Dawa Sherpa’s Six-Day Survival on Mount Everest
Hillary Dawa Sherpa, a 52-year-old Nepali mountain guide, has survived what is being described as one of the most extraordinary self-rescues in recent Everest history.
Here is a reconstruction of his ordeal based on reports from rescuers, fellow climbers, family members, and media sources.
May 29, 2026 – Last Seen High on Everest
Dawa Sherpa was descending after a failed summit attempt with a Polish climber. He was last seen above Camp III, between Camp III and Camp IV, at an estimated altitude of 7,200–7,500 meters.
He was reportedly exhausted, and his oxygen situation had become critical. During the descent, he became separated from his team and disappeared.
May 30–31 – Alone in the Death Zone
No radio contact could be established, and search efforts initially failed to locate him.
With no reliable supply of food, water, or supplemental oxygen, many feared that survival was nearly impossible. His family and fellow climbers increasingly feared the worst.
June 1–2 – Fighting to Stay Alive
According to later reports, Dawa survived by:
• Chewing ice and snow for water.
• Rationing a small snack he had in his pocket.
• Crawling and sliding downhill when he was too weak to walk.
• Taking shelter in a ravine, where he reportedly remained trapped for more than two days.
An avalanche reportedly filled part of the ravine, creating a possible route for him to continue descending.
June 3 – The Self-Rescue Continues
Dawa eventually located abandoned fixed ropes on the mountain. Using them for guidance and support, he continued his descent despite severe exhaustion and frostbite.
By this stage, he had reportedly crawled and slid thousands of feet down the mountain.
June 4 – Found Alive
A cleanup team from the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee reportedly spotted Dawa near the Khumbu Icefall, above Everest Base Camp.
Rescuers said they saw him sliding and crawling down the mountain.
He was immediately rescued and evacuated for medical treatment before being taken toward Kathmandu.
After the Rescue
Dawa was admitted to HAMS Hospital in Kathmandu, where doctors treated him for severe frostbite, dehydration, exhaustion, and other complications caused by prolonged exposure at extreme altitude.
Family members confirmed that he was conscious and able to recognize them.
Remarkably, funeral rites had reportedly already begun because many people believed he had died on the mountain.
I
t has been reported that two of his fingers were affected by frostbite. He spent several days in extremely harsh conditions in the Death Zone, without adequate food, water, oxygen, or warmth.
Surviving such a prolonged ordeal at that altitude is truly extraordinary.
Our heartfelt thanks to everyone who prayed for Dawa Sherpa and supported his rescue and recovery.
🏔️ Wishing Hillary Dawa Sherpa a swift recovery, good health, and strength.
Information collected from publicly available internet reports and media sources.
