After a grueling six-day ordeal on Mount Everest,guide Dawa Sherpa was rescued, surviving by chewing ice and eating chocolates he found in his pocket. His dramatic descent was seen by a clean-up crew who spotted him sliding down towards Base Camp . He was then airlifted to a hospital in Kathmandu.
Initially thought dead, Dawa Sherpa said he didn't go missing; he stayed behind when his oxygen ran out. His family in Kathmandu had begun last rites preparations when news of his survival came. From hospital,he shared his disbelief. "I didn't think I would be alive," he said. "I thought I would perish this way."
The last person to see him before his ordeal was climber Chris Thrall,who saw the guide resting on his backpack just above Camp 3 at about 7,500 meters. Thrall continued down,but when he looked back,Dawa Sherpa hadn't moved. Concerns grew.
Dawa Sherpa, struggling with low oxygen, couldn't walk and had no food for first two days. He chewed ice, hurting his teeth,then found chocolates that gave him energy . His plight worsened when he fell into a crevasse,trapped for two and a half days.
Hope came when an avalanche sent snow into the crevasse, letting him climb out . He found ropes aiding his descent,but another avalanche threatened his progress . Undeterred,he pushed on through night until he reached Base Camp, meeting clean-up crew.
His survival news sparked joy and disbelief among climbers and family . Pemba Sherpa of 8K Expeditions called it a "true self-rescue" miracle. Thrall,who thought reports of survival were false,was stunned to see him crawl into town after fearing worst.
Dawa's wife,Damu Sherpa,had lost hope, preparing for worst until she saw his hospital photo. "We thought he was no more," she said,recalling recognizing him despite his condition. Their daughter,Mhendo Lhamo Sherpa, expressed relief, noting her father recognized her and could speak.
Doctors at HAMS Hospital say Dawa Sherpa is stable,showing good improvement in dehydration. This season,over 1,000 summits of Everest,making it one of busiest on record,despite dangers claiming five climbers' lives this year…
