Everest guide survives six days alone, sparking industry scrutiny

Sat Jun 13 2026 13:12:20 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

A climbing guide was found alive after six days in the Khumbu Icefall, exposing delays in rescue efforts and raising questions about the safety of workers on Everest.

On 9 June, a cleaning team discovered Hillary Dawa Sherpa, a 57‑year‑old guide, near the Khumbu Icefall after being presumed dead. He endured two days of no food, chewed frozen ice, and endured frostbite yet managed to reach the cleaning crew, ultimately being airlifted to Kathmandu. The rescue was delayed, sparking criticism of Himalayan Traverse Adventure and questioning the company’s readiness to protect its staff. The incident highlights broader safety concerns for Sherpas who often work under risky conditions on the world’s highest peak.

Everest guide survives six days alone, sparking industry scrutiny

During a routine clean‑up of Mount Everest’s upper slopes, a team found a frog‑like figure in a bright blue summit suit clinging to the foot of the Khumbu Icefall. It was Hillary Dawa Sherpa, a seasoned climbing guide who had been separated from his clients while descending the mountain six days earlier.

Dawa was in a condition that made it impossible to walk or eat. He described chewing frozen ice, refusing food for days and, finally, listening to a crevasse fill with snow that allowed him to escape. He later met the cleaning crew and, after a brief conversation, was airlifted to Kathmandu, where he has since been treated for frostbite and respiratory distress.

Hillary Dawa being carried from a stretcher to a helicopter — Hillary Dawa was later transported to a hospital for treatment.

The rescue was delayed because of extreme weather. Himalayan Traverse Adventure (HTA), the company that originally hired Dawa as a cook, only launched a search on 30 May, several days after he was first lost. The company maintains that weather conditions forced the delay, but critics argue that a drill‑rehearsed search should have been started sooner.

Questions over the company’s preparedness have spurred a police investigation. Dawa’s family has accused HTA of negligence, and Nepali tourism officials are examining the incident. The narrative has shaken the high‑altitude tourism industry, where clients and guides often operate under risky commitments for low prices.

Experts caution that while experienced guides can manage the climb, local cooks may lack the training required for such endeavors. The discourse raises the profile of safety standards for crew members and the responsibilities of Western tour operators in the Himalayan region.