Mountaineer Dawa Sherpa Found Alive After Seven Days in Everest's 'Death Zone'

Kathmandu. A 52-year-old guide Dawa Sherpa, who went missing in the 'Death Zone' of Mount Everest, the world's highest peak, has been found alive after seven days. Sherpa, who had been out of contact since May 30, was rescued alive on Thursday morning. According to Nisha Thapa Raut, Director of the Department of Tourism, Dawa had been out of contact with his agency since May 30. He was found this morning (Thursday) near the Everest Base Camp, crawling in the snow at a place called 'Camp One Point'.

A team deployed for waste management by the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee (SPCC) found him and immediately rescued him. Director Raut described the incident as 'a miracle in the history of Everest'. Generally, the area above Camp 3 and 4 of Everest is called the Death Zone, where it is difficult for people to survive for more than a few hours due to lack of oxygen and extreme cold. However, Dawa managed to survive in that area for seven days without food and water.

He was not found even during an aerial search by helicopter on Wednesday. Treatment and Health Condition Rescued Sherpa was immediately taken to Gorkha. From there, he has been brought to Hams Hospital in Kathmandu for further treatment. According to Director Raut, various parts of his body have been 'frostbitten' and he is currently speaking very slowly. Initial treatment has started at the hospital. Director Raut says, 'This is a big miracle. It is rare to be out of contact for so long and survive at such an altitude.' The department is preparing to issue a press release by evening with detailed information and official details.

Dawa, who is a guide by profession, his adventurous rebirth has sparked new enthusiasm in the mountaineering sector and discussions about the indomitable courage of human life. Both the hospital and the Department of Tourism are currently coordinating for his treatment and health improvement. 'First and Unique Incident in History' Experienced climber Pemba Sherpa, who successfully summited Everest on May 23 this year and returned, described this incident as 'the first and unbelievable' event in the history of Everest. According to Pemba, although the area above 8,000 meters is called the Death Zone, the area above 7,900 meters is equally deadly.

'Surviving at such an altitude for so long without food, water, and oxygen is a great miracle,' Pemba tells Rato Pati.

'The fact that the person who was not found even during the aerial search until yesterday was found alive today shows how strong his will to live was.'

How did Dawa survive? According to climber Pemba, Dawa was trying to descend slowly, struggling with death. 'Although his problem started higher up, he struggled and reached Camp One Point. There, he was found by the SPCC team crawling in the snow,' added Pemba, who understood the incident. The SPCC's icefall doctors and waste management team played a big role in his rescue. According to Pemba, the SPCC team found Dawa, provided first aid, and brought him towards the base camp.

Dawa's family and relatives had given up hope of his return alive after he was not found for a long time. Pemba says, 'Until yesterday, when he was not found even by helicopter search, there was a state of mourning in the family, but today the news of him being found alive has made everyone happy.'   Dawa Was Found Unable to Speak According to SPCC CEO Chhiring Sherpa, Dawa Sherpa was found on Thursday morning a little below Camp One Point, about a 40-minute distance from Everest Base Camp. 'Our waste management team was going up for cleaning when they found him coming down, crawling in the snow,' CEO Sherpa added, 'Dawa's condition was very critical after spending so long in extreme cold without food and water. His clothes were completely torn at the back, which confirms that he crawled a long distance.'

When Dawa was found, he was unable to walk. The SPCC team carried him in turns and took him to Gorkha, taking about two and a half to three hours. Although there is a helipad at the base camp, due to some technical difficulties as the season was ending, the rescue team informed that he was immediately taken to the safe place Gorkha. Only after reaching Gorkha was it possible to bring him to Kathmandu by helicopter. Questions on the Agency's Role

The role of the trekking agency to which Dawa was affiliated has also been questioned in this incident.

According to CEO Chhiring, although the agency was informed that Dawa was missing, it did not initiate an active search operation in a timely manner. Only after the family's strong pressure and request was a helicopter sent for the search on Wednesday. Dawa had gone missing from the area above 7,900 meters (between Camp 3 and 4). He is currently undergoing treatment at Hams Hospital in Kathmandu. He has severe 'frostbite' and is physically very weak. Doctors say that although he can speak slowly, it will take time for him to recover completely.