A Nepali climbing guide presumed dead on Mount Everest has been discovered crawling down to Base Camp, six days after he was last seen alive.

Dawa Sherpa was last spotted above Camp 3 at approximately 7,500 meters (24,600 feet) while descending after summiting. Survival prospects were grim due to the thin air at that altitude.

On Thursday, a cleaning crew spotted the experienced climber slowly sliding down; he had frostbite on his hands but appeared otherwise healthy.

“Dawa managed to survive against all odds for days. It’s nothing short of a miracle,” said Pemba Sherpa, executive director of 8K Expeditions overseeing search efforts. “This is a true self-rescue.”

Five people have died this climbing season, three of them Nepalis involved in Everest preparations, according to AFP. Over 1,000 reached the summit this season, making it the busiest on record.

Dawa Sherpa, also known as Hillary Dawa Sherpa after famed mountaineer Edmund Hillary, was “slowly sliding through” the Khumbu Icefall toward Base Camp when found.

“As far as I know, no one has survived alone at that altitude on Everest so far. This is a miracle to have survived for six days alone and descended safe. I think he must have lived inside the tents,” said Pemba Sherpa.

Dawa Sherpa is “awake and undergoing treatment,” according to Dr. Nishant Dhakal at Kathmandu’s HAMS Hospital. His daughter Mhendo Lhamo Sherpa told Reuters: “He recognised me … is good and speaks. We are happy.”

Before his discovery, his wife told AFP she had offered last rite prayers for his soul. Climber and former British Royal Marine Chris Thrall posted a tribute on Instagram believing Dawa had perished.

Relative Kung Sherpa expressed dissatisfaction with the search pace. The search was launched by 8K Expeditions, which eventually airlifted him to safety.

Source: www.bbc.com