This article reports on the remarkable survival story of Dawa Sherpa, a 52-year-old Nepali mountain guide who was found alive after being lost for six days on Mount Everest. The content is based on BBC Nepali reports and official statements. It is for educational and news documentation purposes only.
Dawa Sherpa Found Alive After Six Days Lost on Everest: “I Never Thought I Would Survive”
Dawa Sherpa, the 52-year-old Nepali mountain guide rescued alive after nearly a week stranded high on Everest, has revealed how he stayed alive by chewing snow for water and surviving on a small amount of chocolate.
Speaking from his hospital bed in Kathmandu, Dawa described the moment everything went wrong. His oxygen supply ran out during the descent, leaving him exhausted and separated from the rest of his group above Camp 3.
For two full days he had nothing to eat. With no food, no rescue in sight, and temperatures plummeting, he melted snow in his mouth to keep himself hydrated and rationed what little chocolate he had.
“I did not believe I would survive,” he said.
A Miraculous Rescue
Dawa was last seen on May 29. He was finally located on June 5 near Crampon Point in the Khumbu Icefall — crawling downward after nearly a week alone in one of the most extreme environments on earth.
He was airlifted to Kathmandu, where doctors confirmed he is stable and recovering. He suffered frostbite to the fingers of both hands.
Mountaineers and rescue teams have called his survival an extraordinary feat of human endurance.
How He Survived
Surviving for nearly a week above 7,000 meters without adequate oxygen, food, or shelter is nearly impossible for most climbers. Dawa’s survival can be attributed to several factors:
Hydration: He chewed snow and ice to stay hydrated, melting it in his mouth despite the freezing temperatures.
Rationing: He had a small amount of chocolate, which he rationed carefully over the six days.
Experience: As a seasoned mountain guide, Dawa understood the dangers of Everest and knew how to conserve energy and avoid panic.
Slow descent: Instead of rushing, he crawled downward slowly, preserving his strength and avoiding falls.
The Risks of Everest
Dawa’s ordeal highlights the extreme dangers of climbing Mount Everest. Even experienced guides like Dawa can find themselves in life-threatening situations when equipment fails or weather turns.
Common risks on Everest include:
Oxygen deprivation at extreme altitudes (above 8,000 meters, oxygen levels are only one-third of sea level)
Severe frostbite, leading to permanent tissue damage or amputation
Exhaustion and dehydration
Sudden weather changes
Avalanches and icefalls
Crowded routes and delays
Dawa was fortunate to be rescued. Many climbers who become lost or stranded on Everest are never found.
A Testament to Human Endurance
Dawa’s survival is being hailed as one of the most remarkable rescue stories in recent Everest history. His ability to endure nearly a week alone in the “death zone” – where most humans cannot survive more than 48 hours – is a testament to the strength of the human spirit.
As one rescue team member stated: “This is why we never give up. Even when hope seems lost, people can survive. Dawa is proof of that.”
Recovery and Next Steps
Dawa remains hospitalized in Kathmandu, where he is receiving treatment for frostbite and exhaustion. Doctors expect him to make a full recovery, though he may lose some function in his fingers due to the frostbite.
He has expressed gratitude to the rescue teams who searched for him and to everyone who prayed for his safety. When asked what he learned from the experience, he replied simply: “Never climb alone. And always carry extra supplies.”
Conclusion
Dawa Sherpa walked away from Everest – a mountain that has claimed hundreds of lives. His survival is a reminder of both the dangers of high-altitude climbing and the incredible resilience of the human body.
He went up as a guide. He came down as a survivor. And his story will inspire climbers for generations to come.
Primary Sources:
BBC Nepali – Interview with Dawa Sherpa (June 2025)
Nepal Mountaineering Association – Rescue operation records
Himalayan Database – Everest climbing statistics