News Screen – A climbing guide from Nepal who was previously declared missing on Mount Everest for six days was found alive on Thursday, June 4 2026. This discovery shocked the family and search team who previously feared the man had died due to extreme weather on the highest mountain in the world.
Experienced guide Dawa Sherpa, known by the nickname “Hillary”, was found near Everest Base Camp after successfully descending alone from the top of the mountain. When found, he was weak and suffering from frostbite, but was still conscious.
The Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee (SPCC) team, which is tasked with helping determine climbing routes and environmental management on Everest, found Dawa Sherpa on Thursday morning. After being evacuated, he was immediately flown by helicopter to Kathmandu to receive medical treatment.
Also read: 2026 Ethiopian elections held, Abiy Ahmed predicted to win by a landslide
Search coordinator from 8K Expeditions, Pemba Sherpa, said Dawa was found safe after crawling down to the main camping area. “He has frostbite, but his general condition is stable,” he said.
This news was greeted with emotion by the family. Dawa Sherpa’s wife, Damu Sherpa, admitted that the family had lost hope after her husband was not found for several days.
“We are very grateful. Even the day before we started praying for the person who died because we thought he would not come back,” he said.
Dawa Sherpa was reported missing since May 30 2026 after being separated from a group of climbers while descending from the Camp Four area at an altitude of around 7,950 meters. At that time, weather conditions on Everest were reported to be very bad and made the search process difficult.
British climber Chris Thrall, who reached the summit with Dawa the day before, revealed that his colleague had stopped to rest on the way down. He then continued his journey because he had to help other climbers who were experiencing lack of oxygen and symptoms of hypothermia.
According to Thrall, conditions on Everest this season are among the toughest. Climbing routes that can usually be completed in a short time take much longer due to weather and difficult terrain conditions.
After being declared missing, the rescue team carried out an intensive search, but found no trace of Dawa until he finally reappeared near Base Camp after struggling down alone for several days.
The 2026 Everest climbing season is recorded as one of the busiest in history. Based on preliminary data from Nepalese authorities, more than 1,000 climbers succeeded in reaching the summit of Everest this year. However, at least five people were reported to have died during the climbing season.
The story of Dawa Sherpa’s survival is one of the most dramatic events in this year’s Everest climbing season and shows the extraordinary resilience of a mountain guide who has long experience in facing the extreme terrain of the Himalayas.***
