KATHMANDU: A Sherpa climber who had been out of contact above Camp IV on Mt. Annapurna for over 48 hours has been rescued safely, said an expedition organizer.

Lakpa Sherpa, owner and expedition director at 8K Expeditions, informed that Dawa Nurbu Sherpa, who went missing from above 7,700m on Mt. Annapurna while descending from the summit point, was airlifted from Camp III safely this morning.

Dawa, a climber from Makalu in Sankhuwasabha, went missing after he had climbed Annapurna on April 19 at around 9:00 am with renowned IFMGA guide Richard Markus Bolt from Switzerland.

“8K Expeditions immediately mobilized an air search mission after Dawa went out of contact from the couloir above Camp IV during his descent,” Lakpa said. World record-holding climber Lakpa Sherpa aka Makalu Lakpa also joined aerial search for Dawa.

As insurance companies refused to authorize a long‑line rescue mission above Camp III, 8K Expeditions conducted an aerial search on its own with another renowned guide, Ashok Lama, Lakpa added.

During the aerial search, Ashok had traced Dawa near Camp IV yesterday. From Camp III, Ashok struggled hard to ascend to the area where Dawa was stranded, he said, adding that Dawa was then safely brought down to Camp III.

From Camp III, Heli Everest chopper piloted by Priya Adhikari was mobilized to bring him to base camp, and he is now being taken to Pokhara for treatment this morning. “He is safe and sound despite suffering minor frostbites,” Lakpa added.

Lakpa further said that 8K Expeditions would leave no stone unturned to ensure safety for its climbers and guides.

Pemba Sherpa, Chairman of 8K Expeditions, said, "These kinds of problems are rare but not unexpected during expeditions."

Detailing the rescue operation, he said, "During the search and rescue operation in the higher camps, the first helicopter operation involved an aerial search, but we could not find Dawa. Then, during a second aerial search, the missing Sherpa was found. In the third stage, we dropped Ashok Lama at Camp III at an altitude of 6,000 to 7,000 meters, which in itself is very challenging."

"Ashok then climbed up to the location where Dawa was found, below Camp IV, and brought him back to Camp III. In the fourth stage, a helicopter picked up Dawa from Camp III, and in the fifth stage, Ashok was picked up from Camp III. Both were then flown to Pokhara, where Dawa is currently undergoing treatment at CIWEC," he added.

On the financial aspect, Pemba said, "Insurance will cover a maximum of $10,000. The remaining cost has been borne by our agency. This could become an issue for other agencies as well. Insurance coverage must be revised and increased to at least $30,000."

He further questioned, "I do not know who designed this mechanism—whether it was created by a person or team that truly understands the realities of Himalayan rescue operations and the context of Nepali tourism."

"If this had been a small-scale expedition company, they would neither have the means nor the financial capacity to conduct this kind of search and rescue operation. It was only possible for well-resourced companies which are able to utilize their own funds for the rescue. But for smaller companies, they would have no option but to leave the Sherpa up there to his fate. That is sad but true," Pemba added.