KATHMANDU: A Sherpa climber has been left to die near Camp III, just below the South Col, as Nepal closes its spring climbing season on Mt. Everest, it has been revealed.

A Sherpa guide – Dawa Sherpa – from Okhaldhunga went missing on the evening of May 29, when his Polish client abandoned his summit bid after suffering from frostbite on the South Col.

According to information from base camp, Dawa and the Polish climber decided to descend immediately. The Polish climber was ahead of Dawa and was following other climbers towards Camp II. Dawa was left alone near Camp III while other climbers descended to Camp II.

Another Dawa Sherpa (Managing Director at Himalayan Traverse Pvt. Ltd., organiser of the expedition) confirmed that Dawa was left alone near the Yellow Band area, while other climbers safely descended to Camp II on May 29.

“They waited for Dawa until today, but he didn’t come to Camp II,” he confirmed. Today, all climbers who were at Camp II safely came down to base camp – some used helicopter flights, while others chose to trek.

“No rescue efforts were carried out to search for Dawa until today, as all ladders placed along the icefall section were removed today,” the expedition organiser admitted.

A few climbers – including those from Summit Climb and others – were involved in a dispute over helicopter flights from Camp II as they attempted to climb the world’s highest mountain on May 29, according to base camp officials. This season recorded over 1,000 summits (a record) , five deaths, and many unwanted evacuations from high camp, according to base camp officials.