Climber who spent 6 days dragging himself off Mount Everest is out of intensive care: "I thought I would perish"
CBS News • • general
Key Points:
- Nepali mountaineer Dawa Sherpa survived six days stranded near Everest's "death zone" after being abandoned, sustaining frostbite, dehydration, and a fractured thigh; he has now been moved out of intensive care and is slowly recovering.
- Dawa Sherpa recounted surviving on minimal food and water, chewing ice to stay alive, and crawling toward Base Camp despite severe injuries and oxygen depletion.
- The incident has sparked outrage over alleged negligence, prompting calls from the Everest Summiteers Association and Nepal Mountaineering Association for an official investigation to prevent future occurrences.
- This Everest season saw record numbers of climbers, with over 1,000 summiting and a single-day record of 274 climbers, raising concerns about overcrowding and the risks posed by less experienced climbers.
- Sherpa guides and experts have urged authorities to impose limits on the number of climbers allowed on Everest to ensure safety and maintain climbing quality amid growing commercialization.