Nepali climbing guide Hillary Dawa Sherpa survived after being stranded for days on Mount Everest, an ordeal he escaped by chewing ice and navigating a treacherous crevasse following an avalanche.
A Struggle for Survival at 7,950 Meters
The 52-year-old guide was descending from Camp Four with a British client, Chris Thrall, when he became separated from his partner at an altitude of approximately 7,950 meters. Thrall eventually encountered a Polish climber in need of oxygen and diverted his focus to assist him, while Sherpa found himself without oxygen or food.
Sherpa recounted that he had no food for the first two days of his ordeal. To sustain himself, he chewed ice, which caused significant dental pain, and eventually discovered a few chocolates in his pocket while melting snow for hydration.
Escape from the Crevasse
Sherpa spent two and a half days trapped in a crevasse after falling during his descent. A subsequent avalanche filled the gap with snow, providing him with a platform to climb out. Upon exiting, he located ropes that aided his further descent.
Despite being caught in another avalanche, the guide remained determined. He pressed through the snow and trekked through the night until he finally reached the base camp area.
A Recovery Against All Odds
Search teams and the climber’s family had effectively presumed him dead, with his wife attending prayers for the deceased on Wednesday. His daughter, Mendo Lhamu Sherpa, noted that the family was initially skeptical until photographic evidence confirmed his rescue.