A Sherpa guide, Dawa Sherpa, was found alive on Mount Everest a week after going missing, crawling down near the Khumbu Icefall above base camp, and was airlifted to a hospital.

The family had given up hope and began mourning before learning of the rescue from photos confirming his identity.

expedition organizers and the guiding agency 8K Expeditions called the discovery a miracle and suggested a possible self-rescue, though details remain unclear.

The exact reason for Dawa’s separation from his client and the delay in launching a search remained unclear.

There was no initial search and rescue for six days; the company Himalayan Traverse did not hold its own permit, sharing one with 8K Expeditions, prompting questions about responsibility.

The rescue team that found him was coordinated by 8K Expeditions, with aerial searches earlier in the week having failed.

This Everest season has seen at least five fatalities among climbers preparing for the ascent, while more than 1,000 climbers reached the summit, making it the busiest season on record.

Dawa, 52, was last seen around late May and did not reach base camp, whereas his Polish climber client did, as the season neared its end and the route was being dismantled.

Initial reasons for the search delay were not disclosed, and his family had already begun multi-day funeral rites.

Search efforts were delayed for several days due to unspecified reasons, with helicopters arriving without success until the rescue was confirmed by local news and contacts.

Dawa’s family had started funeral rites but confirmed his survival after photographs and a reunion, with his daughter expressing relief.

Families initially feared he had died, and confirmation came only after photos were requested.