Dawa Sherpa Survives Days Without Food on Everest

Dawa Sherpa, a 57-year-old climber, survived for almost a week without food after becoming stranded on Mount Everest during the spring climbing season. He lost oxygen and fell behind his group, ultimately left behind in freezing temperatures near Everest's death zone.

Sherpa began chewing ice to stay alive and found some chocolate snacks in his pocket. He was eventually rescued on June 4, 2023, after crawling toward base camp.

His survival sparked celebrations among fellow climbers but also led to anger from family members who accused the rescue team of failing to locate him sooner. Gelj Sherpa, president of the Nepal Mountain Association, described the incident as extraordinary and highlighted serious concerns about climber safety.

The Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee is involved in cleaning up waste left on Everest, with over 1,000 climbers reaching the summit during the busiest season on record. Sherpa suffered from frostbite, severe dehydration, and a fractured thigh bone.