Family of Hillary Dawa Sherpa, who was found alive after six days abandoned on Mount Everest, has demanded justice while Nepalese authorities opened an investigation into his employer Himalayan Traverse Adventures.
52-year-old Sherpa was left behind as his team started their descent on the last day of the climbing season. Himalayan Traverse Adventures reportedly did not make any attempts to search for him. A group of garbage collectors at Base Camp found Sherpa dragging himself down the glacier on Thursday.
Sherpa is currently recovering in the hospital after suffering frostbites on his fingers and a right medial femoral fracture.
Doctors told The Tourism Times on Friday that he remained stable and was better hydrated.
The incident drew global attention, with many questioning the mistreatment and negligence towards Sherpas, who are risking their lives to accompany clients to the summit.
Investigation against Himalayan Traverse Adventures
Nepal’s Department of Tourism launched an investigation against Sherpa’s employing company, Himalayan Traverse Adventures, which is run by a father and son duo.
“We will investigate this incident in detail,” Ramkrishna Lamichhane, Director-General of Department of Tourism, told EKantipur “Where there are shortcomings, strict action will be taken according to the law, and if negligence is found, we will blacklist the company involved.”
The Nepal Mountaineering Association released a press release on Friday, urging the Nepalese Government to “establish an independent investigation” and to “hold accountable any individuals found responsible for actions that may have endangered the life of a fellow mountaineer”.
Meanwhile, Sherpa’s wife, Damu Sherpa, spoke to the media at the gate of the hospital.
She told The Tourism Times, “Dawa went missing on May 29, and we immediately contacted the concerned authorities for help, but all turned a deaf ear. The government is celebrating a record revenue of over 1 billion rupees it collected from Everest climbing this season, but why didn’t it respond to our calls?”
