Nepal: Found alive after six days at over 8.000 meters, a mountaineer at the heart of a rescue controversy

The story of Dawa Sherpa is nothing short of a miracle. Missing for six days on the slopes of Everest, the Nepalese mountaineer was found alive on Thursday, June 4, at nearly 8.000 meters altitude, in one of the most hostile regions on the planet. Hospitalized in Kathmandu, he remains in intensive care, while his incredible survival has sparked a heated controversy surrounding the conditions of his treatment.

According to the management of HAMS Hospital in the Nepalese capital, the mountain guide's condition remains stable despite the extreme conditions he faced. Doctors emphasize that he survived for several days in an environment characterized by freezing temperatures, a lack of oxygen, and a near-total absence of food.

A family who already thought he was dead

News of his rescue sent shockwaves through his family. Convinced that Dawa Sherpa had perished on the mountain, his relatives had already begun traditional funeral ceremonies. His wife was stunned to learn that the guide was still alive, even though preparations for his death had already been made.

This situation quickly gave way to anger. The family accuses the company in charge of the expedition of having delayed launching search and rescue operations. They are now demanding an investigation to determine whether all necessary measures were taken in the hours following the climber's disappearance.

Accusations against the rescue organization

Several of Dawa Sherpa's relatives are questioning the speed of the rescue teams' mobilization. Karma Gyalje Sherpa, himself a high-mountain guide, believes the organizers' response could have been faster. According to him, every hour counts at such an altitude, where the chances of survival diminish considerably over time.

The Nepalese guide goes even further, suggesting that a foreign climber might have received more attention. This statement reignites the recurring debate about the differences in treatment between Western clients of Himalayan expeditions and the numerous local guides who do the bulk of the work in the mountains.

A disappearance still shrouded in mystery

Dawa Sherpa reached the summit of Mount Everest on May 29th alongside British mountaineer Chris Thrall. It was during the descent that he disappeared. The exact circumstances of his disappearance remain unknown, and no precise account of events has yet been established.

Nepalese authorities and expedition leaders may need to clarify the circumstances of the accident in the coming days. Beyond the miracle of this exceptional survival, this incident highlights the extreme risks faced by Nepalese guides on the roof of the world, as well as the persistent questions surrounding rescue operations on the planet's highest peaks.