Sherpa
Mount Everest miracle: Missing Nepali Sherpa found alive during family funeral rites
A Nepali climbing guide, commonly known as a Sherpa, who was feared dead on Mount Everest has been found alive, six days after he was last seen descending from the world's highest peak.
According to reports, Dawa Sherpa was last spotted above Camp 3 at an altitude of around 7,500 metres (24,600 feet) while returning from a successful summit attempt. Given the extreme conditions and thin air at such elevations, hopes of finding him alive had all but faded.
Defying the odds, Dawa Sherpa was discovered on Thursday by a mountain cleaning team as he made his way down towards Everest Base Camp. Despite suffering frostbite on his head, he had managed to survive alone for nearly a week in one of the harshest environments on Earth.
"Dawa managed to survive against all odds for days. It's nothing short of a miracle," Pemba Sherpa, Executive Director of 8K Expeditions, which was coordinating the search efforts, told BBC.
Calling it "a true self-rescue," Pemba Sherpa said Dawa, also known as Hillary Dawa Sherpa after legendary mountaineer Sir Edmund Hillary, was found slowly descending through the Khumbu Icefall towards Base Camp.
"As far as I know, no one has survived alone at that altitude on Everest before. To survive for six days and descend safely is extraordinary. I believe he may have taken shelter in tents along the route to protect himself from the elements," he said.
According to reports, Dawa Sherpa is currently receiving medical treatment and is said to be recovering.
The dramatic rescue came after family members and fellow climbers had already begun mourning his presumed death.
His teenage daughter, Mendo Lhamu Sherpa, told The Guardian that the family was on the second day of traditional funeral rites when news of his survival emerged.
"When we first heard about the rescue, we could not be sure that the person found was indeed our father," she said. "We asked for photographs to be sent to us, and only after seeing them were we certain. We were overjoyed."
Earlier, British climber and former Royal Marine Chris Thrall had posted a tribute to Dawa Sherpa on Instagram, believing he had died on the mountain.
After learning that Dawa had been found alive, Thrall shared another post expressing his relief and happiness.
"Yes, friends, I'm getting reports that Hillary has been found alive. I'm elated and so happy for him and his wonderful family," he wrote. "Just flying home now via Delhi. I'll write more when I land and learn more."
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