NEPALI SURVIVES SIX DAYS LOST ON EVEREST

KATHMANDU, JUNE 4 /SRNA/ – Nepali climbing guide Sherpa Hilari Dava, who went missing on Mount Everest six days ago and was feared dead, has been found alive after managing to make his way down to base camp, officials told AFP.

Dava disappeared on the upper slopes of the world's highest mountain early on May 30.

He was found near base camp by a Nepali team responsible for fixing climbing routes on Everest and clearing waste left behind by climbers.

"He crawled down. A helicopter was dispatched to take him to a hospital in Kathmandu", said Pemba Sherpa from the group overseeing the search-and-rescue operation.

Climber Chris Thrall, a former British Royal Marine, said he successfully reached the 8,849-meter summit with Sherpas at around 5:00 p.m. on May 29.

The following day, he posted a video message on Instagram mourning Dava, whom he believed had died after stopping to rest during the descent and falling behind the rest of the group.

Search teams were sent out to locate the Sherpa, but he was not seen again until this morning, when he reached the camp on his own.

The ascent was one of the last of the climbing season, meaning there were few other mountaineers on the mountain.

At least five people have died on Everest this season - two Indian climbers and three Nepali guides involved in preparations for Everest expeditions.