Story perspectives

Dawa Sherpa Missing; Family Blames Traverse, Thrall

6/4/2026

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Himalayan Traverse Accused

Family and fellow Sherpas accuse Himalayan Traverse of delaying the rescue and failing to coordinate with insurers after Dawa disappeared.
Mountaineering guide Dawa Sherpa remains missing on Mount Everest after disappearing in the Khumbu Icefall.
8K Expeditions launched a helicopter search on June 3 at the family's request, finding no trace.
British climber Chris Thrall faced online accusations of abandoning Dawa as officials said rescue began June 2.

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Dawa Sherpa Rescued

The Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee, Nepal’s waste-cleanup team, found missing guide Dawa Sherpa crawling near Everest Base Camp on June 4.
Dawa Sherpa was rescued alive near Everest Base Camp and is now recovering from frostbite in Kathmandu.
Damu Sherpa said her family began puja, traditional death prayers, before learning Dawa was alive.
The season recorded over 1,000 summiters and at least five deaths, the busiest on record.

History

Historical Context

The 1996 Mount Everest disaster on 10–11 May, when eight climbers—including guides Rob Hall and Scott Fischer—died in a sudden storm, forced Nepal to tighten high-altitude rescue rules. In 2024, Sherpa guide Dawa disappeared during a Himalayan Traverse expedition, and a delayed helicopter response revived criticism of the same coordination lapses that followed the 1996 tragedy.

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Himalayan Traverse Accused

Family and fellow Sherpas accuse Himalayan Traverse of delaying the rescue and failing to coordinate with insurers after Dawa disappeared.
Mountaineering guide Dawa Sherpa remains missing on Mount Everest after disappearing in the Khumbu Icefall.
8K Expeditions launched a helicopter search on June 3 at the family's request, finding no trace.
British climber Chris Thrall faced online accusations of abandoning Dawa as officials said rescue began June 2.

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