A mountaineering guide has been rescued from the slopes of Mount Everest after surviving for six days on a single chocolate bar and melted ice, in an incident that underscores the perilous nature of high-altitude climbing. The guide, identified as Gelje Sherpa, was discovered by a search team on Tuesday at an elevation of approximately 7,500 metres, according to the Himalayan Rescue Association.
Mr. Sherpa had been part of a commercial expedition when he became separated from his group during a sudden storm on May 15. Details of his survival remain fragmentary, but rescue officials confirmed that he sustained severe frostbite to his hands and feet. He was airlifted to a Kathmandu hospital, where he is reported to be in stable condition.
The episode has reignited debate over safety standards on the world’s highest peak, which has seen a record number of permits issued this season. Critics argue that overcrowding and commercial pressures are increasing the risk of such incidents. However, Nepal’s tourism department has defended its regulatory framework, emphasising that the weather event was an unforeseeable natural hazard.
For Mr. Sherpa, the immediate focus is on recovery. Doctors have not yet determined the extent of permanent damage from the frostbite. His family has declined to comment publicly.
The rescue was conducted by a joint team comprising the Nepalese army and private helicopter operators, who faced challenging conditions that included strong winds and low visibility. The operation cost an estimated $15,000, a sum that is likely to raise further questions about the financial burdens of high-altitude rescues.
