Abandoned Sherpa Guide Survives Week on Mount Everest After Being Left Behind
Dawa Sherpa, a 52-year-old guide, survived being stranded at 7,200 meters on Mount Everest for one week without food or oxygen. After being left behind during a descent on May 29, he navigated the Khumbu Icefall alone and was rescued on June 4 by waste cleanup workers.
The incident occurred during the end of the Everest climbing season. Dawa Sherpa had been guiding British climber Chris Slarl and Polish climber Mariusz Hermilewski. While descending from the summit toward base camp, the group stopped in the “yellow zone” above Camp 3.
According to reports, Hermilewski suffered from severe frostbite. Slarl, prioritizing the care of his companion, chose to evacuate first, leaving Dawa Sherpa alone on the mountain. The situation worsened when the climbing team dismantled the ladders required to cross the Khumbu Icefall, effectively blocking Dawa’s path down.
How did Dawa Sherpa survive a week on Mount Everest?
Dawa Sherpa spent seven days in the “death zone” facing extreme low temperatures and hidden crevasses. He had no food and no supplemental oxygen supplies.
He relied on decades of mountaineering experience to survive. He slowly navigated his way down by climbing ice cliffs and bypassing deep cracks in the glacier.
On June 4, waste cleanup crews working near the Khumbu Icefall spotted him. Dawa was found crawling and covered in injuries. He was immediately transported to a hospital in Kathmandu, where he is being treated for severe dehydration and frostbite, though his vital signs remain stable.
Why are Dawa Sherpa’s family filing formal complaints?
The rescue effort by Dawa’s employer, the Himalayan Crossing company, has come under intense scrutiny. Family members claim the company was slow to organize ground search operations.
Although the company eventually deployed helicopters, multiple flights failed to locate the guide. This delay has sparked outrage among his relatives, who believe the company disregarded his life.
Dawa’s nephew, Karma Gelje Sherpa, has publicly stated that the delay was rooted in a disregard for Sherpa lives. He alleged that if a wealthy foreign climber had been stranded, the rescue response would have been immediate.
What may happen next in the investigation?
The legal process has already begun. Dawa’s family has filed a police report against the Himalayan Crossing company.
Additionally, a formal complaint has been submitted to the Nepal Ministry of Tourism, which oversees mountaineering affairs. The family is demanding a full explanation for the delayed rescue efforts.
This case could lead to a broader review of safety protocols for guides. It may also prompt the Ministry of Tourism to implement stricter regulations regarding how expedition companies manage the descent and safety of their local staff.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who left Dawa Sherpa behind on the mountain?
He was left behind by British climber Chris Slarl, who evacuated to care for Polish climber Mariusz Hermilewski, who was suffering from frostbite.
Why was Dawa Sherpa unable to descend immediately?
The climbing team had dismantled the ladders at the Khumbu Icefall, which blocked the standard descent route.
Who eventually found Dawa Sherpa?
He was discovered on June 4 by staff members responsible for cleaning up trash in the mountain region.
Do you believe mountaineering companies should face stricter legal penalties when guides are left behind during evacuations?