Injured climber trapped alone on Mount Everest for days reveals how an avalanche saved his life

Injured Everest Climber Trapped Alone on Mount Everest Survives Avalanche

Injured climber trapped alone on Mount - An injured climber trapped alone on Mount Everest for days recently shared how an unexpected avalanche became the turning point in his survival. Dawa Sherpa, a 57-year-old Nepali guide, found himself stranded in a deep crevasse after a sudden accident during the spring climbing season, which saw record numbers of climbers on the world's highest peak. With dwindling supplies and no immediate rescue, Sherpa’s fate seemed sealed—until a powerful snowfall provided the miracle he needed to escape.

Three Days of Struggle

On May 28, Sherpa had been working as a cook at Camp Two for a small expedition group when the incident occurred. After a team member fell ill and he took on the role of guide, Sherpa and his climbing companions reached the Balcony, a high-altitude plateau at approximately 27,559 feet. During their descent, he lagged behind due to oxygen depletion, ultimately falling into a crevasse with no one nearby. "I told them to keep going and that I would come," he recalled. "But when my oxygen ran out, I couldn’t move my hands or feet." For three days, he survived on frozen chocolate, dried coffee, and chunks of ice, relying on makeshift methods to stay hydrated.

By May 29, the situation had become dire. Sherpa described his physical and mental exhaustion as he navigated the icy void, using crampons and ice axes to carve a path forward. "I had biscuits and chocolates in my pockets, and coffee," he said, highlighting his determination to endure. Yet, even with these resources, he feared the worst, knowing that the cold and altitude could claim him at any moment.

Avalanche as a Lifeline

On June 3, after six days of isolation, a helicopter passed overhead. Though he heard the sound, he couldn’t see it, and no rescuers arrived. "I knew a helicopter had come, I could hear its sound, but couldn’t see it," he said, expressing his despair. However, just as hope seemed lost, an avalanche struck, burying the crevasse and creating an escape route. "There was nowhere to go. I would wonder if I would live or die, just hoping someone would come and rescue me," Sherpa recounted. "But instead, an avalanche did—saving my life."

As the snow filled the crevasse, Sherpa was able to crawl free, using the avalanche’s force to shift the ice and clear his path. "It was very difficult, and it must have taken me an hour," he explained, detailing the arduous process of pulling himself out of the icy trench. The avalanche, though destructive, became the lifeline he desperately needed.

The Team’s Final Moments

Before his fall, Sherpa had been guiding British climber Chris Thrall, Polish climber Mariusz Chmielewski, and Pasang Kaji Sherpa, a fellow guide. During the descent, he had anchored the team with a rope, but when he collapsed from exhaustion, he was left behind. "I told him to keep going, and that I would come," he said. "But when my oxygen ran out, I couldn’t move." The team, unaware of his predicament, continued their journey, leaving him alone in the harsh environment.

For two nights, Sherpa endured freezing temperatures and strong winds, surviving on what little he had. "I thought I would die there," he admitted. His isolation was a stark reminder of the dangers that accompany climbing Everest, where even the most experienced climbers can be caught off guard by nature’s fury.

Survival Against the Odds

When the avalanche hit, it was a stroke of luck that transformed his dire situation. "The snow filled the crevas