Dawa Sherpa, a 52-year-old [1] Nepali mountain guide, was rescued June 4, 2024 [4], after surviving nearly a week on Mount Everest.

The rescue is considered a remarkable feat of endurance because Sherpa survived in the "death zone" without the basic necessities for human life. His survival underscores the extreme physiological resilience of high-altitude guides compared to average climbers.

Sherpa went missing May 29, 2024 [2], during a descent from a failed summit attempt. He became separated from his Polish client during the journey down the mountain [5]. Because of the harsh conditions and his disappearance, search teams presumed he was dead for several days.

He was eventually discovered by a post-season cleanup crew near the Khumbu Icefall [5]. Reports indicate he had been crawling toward Everest Base Camp in an attempt to save himself [3]. During the period he was missing, Sherpa survived for approximately six to seven days [3] without food, water, or supplemental oxygen [3].

The guide's age and the duration of his exposure to the elements make the rescue unusual. Most climbers succumb to hypoxia or exhaustion much faster when stripped of oxygen and sustenance at such altitudes. He was found in a state of extreme weakness but alive, marking one of the most improbable survival stories in the history of the peak [1].

“Dawa Sherpa was rescued after surviving roughly a week on Mount Everest without food, water, or supplemental oxygen.”

This incident highlights the critical role of Sherpas' biological adaptation to high altitudes, which allows them to survive conditions that would be fatal to most humans. It also emphasizes the danger of the descent phase of Everest climbs, where exhaustion and separation from teammates often lead to fatalities.