Dawa Sherpa, a 52‑year‑old Nepali guide, was rescued on June 4 after six harrowing days stranded near the Yellow Band on Mount Everest. presumed dead, he survived by chewing ice and eating chocolates found in his pocket,then was airlifted to a Kathmandu hospital.

Six Days in a Crevasse: How Ice and Chocolate Sustained Dawa Sherpa

According to the BBC report, Dawa ran out of oxygen and was unable to walk for the first two days, surviving on nothing but the cold bite of ice he chewed despite the pain to his teeth .. He later discovered a few chocolates in his pocket, melted ice for drinking water, and used the sugar to stave off hypoglycaemia. The combination of frozen hydration and quick calories kept his body from shutting down while he remained trapped in a crevasse for two‑and‑a‑half days.

Clean‑up Crew from Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee Spot the Missing Guide

The Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee, tasked with removing equipment after the climbing season, spotted Dawa crawling toward Base Camp on May 31. Their discovery halted a week‑long search that had been hampered by failed helicopter attempts. The team’s quick action enabled a rescue helicopter to airlift Dawa to safety, ending what the mountaineering community called “nothing short of a miracle.”

Family Grief Turned to Relief: Funeral Rites Paused as News Arrived

Dawa’s wife, Damu Sherpa, and daughter, Mendo Lhamu, had already begun funeral rites in Kathmandu when they learned he was still alive. Damu recalled hearing the news on local radio and confirming his survival only after receiving photographs. Their emotional roller‑coaster underscores how quickly circumstances can shift on the world’s highest peak.

Record‑Breaking Season and the Growing Risks for Sherpas

This May saw over 1,000 climbers and guides attempt Everest, the busiest season on record, delayed by a massive ice block near Base Camp. Ang Tshering Sherpa, a leading figure in Nepal’s mountaineering community, said Dawa’s survival highlights the extreme hazards Sherpas face as the backbone of Himalayan expeditions. Their traditional knowledge and stamina are increasingly tested by higher traffic and unpredictable weather.

Unanswered Details: Why Was the Search Delayed and Who Coordinated the Rescue?

The source does not explain the week‑long delay before the clean‑up crew found Dawa, nor does it identify the specific rescue coordination team that deployed the helicopter. additionally, the exact condition of Dawa’s fractured bone and the long‑term outlook for his frostbite remain unclear.

Medical staff in Kathmandu are treating Dawa for dehydration, frostbite, and a fractured bone, and remain optimistic about his recovery. The mountaineering community continues to rally support, reminding the world of the perils that Sherpas endure on a daily basis.