Home / Disasters and Accidents / Miracle on Everest: Climber Survives 7 Days in Crevasse
Miracle on Everest: Climber Survives 7 Days in Crevasse
19 Jun
Summary
- Mountaineer Dawa Sherpa survived seven days trapped in an Everest crevasse.
- An unexpected avalanche created a path for Sherpa's self-rescue.
- His family had already begun mourning him, believing he had died.
Nepali mountaineer Dawa Sherpa has recounted his harrowing ordeal of being trapped for seven days in a deep crevasse on Mount Everest. The 57-year-old climber sustained a fractured leg and frostbite after falling into the 25-foot deep ice crack. He survived on meager rations of biscuits, chocolates, and ice, while his family in Nepal had already commenced mourning rituals, presuming him deceased.
Sherpa's self-rescue became possible when an avalanche filled the crevasse with snow, offering him a route to freedom. He described the immense difficulty of crawling out and descending the mountain with his injuries. His rescue on June 4, near Base Camp, came after nearly a week alone on the treacherous slopes. Doctors in Kathmandu are currently treating him for his injuries.
The spring climbing season on Everest was the busiest on record, with over 1,000 climbers reaching the summit. However, this increased popularity has raised concerns about overcrowding and safety, prompting calls for authorities to regulate the number of climbers.
