A 52-year-old Sherpa, Hillary Dawa, was left behind during the final descent on Mount Everest and survived six days without food or oxygen after falling into a crevasse and being struck by an avalanche.

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The incident occurred near the end of the Everest climbing season ,which was being hailed as the most successful ever. Other climbers and expedition teams had already returned to Kathmandu to celebrate, but it wasn't until June 1 that people realized Dawa was missing.

By then, Sherpas had already begun dismantling the main climbing route, including ladders used to cross crevasses. No rescue was launched initially because it was assumed he was dead.

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Authorities in Nepal are investigating why Dawa was left behind by his employer, Himalayan Traverse Adventure. The incident has prompted calls for reflection within the Everest community, with many emphasizing that the priority must be to never leave anyone behind,regardless of company or nationality.

The experience is described as sobering and a lesson for all future expeditions. Benavides, who has covered Himalayan expeditions for over 30 years, called it an unprecedented survival story: there have been miracle rescues on Everest before, but this time the Sherpa saved himself with no help.

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Dawa was last seen on May 29 at around 25,000 feet while descending with a client who had summited late on May 28... According to Angela Benavides of Explorer's Web, who spoke with LiveNOW's Mike Pache, Dawa stopped for a break during the descent, and his client continued down alone.

In the chaotic closing rush of the season, Dawa was left behind. He was found alive on a glacier on June 4, six days after he was last seen, and is now recovering in a Kathmandu hospital.

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The incident has prompted calls for reflection within the Everest community, with many emphasizing that the priority must be to never leave anyone behind, regardless of company or nationality.

The experience is described as sobering and a lesson for all future expeditions. Benavides, who has covered Himalayan expeditions for over 30 years, called it an unprecedented survival story: there have been miracle rescues on Everest before, but this time the Sherpa saved himself with no help.