Famed British Nepali climber Nirmal Purja has been confirmed dead due to an avalanche on Pakistan’s Broad Peak. His expedition company, Elite Expeditions, announced this tragic news on social media, expressing profound sadness over his loss. The company also revealed that other expedition members didn’t survive.
Rescuers, backed by military helicopters, resumed their search for at least six members of the 10-person expedition swept away by the avalanche. Officials have found and recovered three of the four bodies so far. Local police official Tahir Khan stated that the remains of Omani climber Nathira Ahmed are being transported to Islamabad. The bodies of American climber Mallory Geis and Nepalese climber Bahadur Gurung remain in a hospital in Skardu, situated in Pakistan’s northern Gilgit-Baltistan region. The search-and-rescue efforts continue despite dwindling hopes.
According to Karrar Haidri, vice president of the Alpine Club of Pakistan, the team lost contact with their base camp after an avalanche struck Broad Peak on Thursday during their climb. There has been no communication since then. Experienced Pakistani climbers and army helicopters are participating in the operation.
Purja, also known as Nims Dai, gained fame for climbing the world’s 14 highest peaks in a record 189 days in 2019. His achievement, showcased in the Netflix documentary “14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible,” was surpassed in 2023. Elite Expeditions lauded Purja as one of the greatest climbers, praising his ability to inspire millions through courage and humility.
The Alpine Club reported that the expedition included members from Nepal, Oman, America, Pakistan, and China. Other members included Pakistani climber Sohail Sakhi, a guide for Moving Mountains and a geographer, who was anticipated to make this his final expedition. Before the climb, Moving Mountains, a travel company in Pakistan, wished the team a safe journey.
This expedition marked Geis’ first attempt at scaling an 8,000-meter peak in Pakistan. She took significant steps in her life after shutting down her Pilates studio to pursue this adventure. Sakhi, also known for high-altitude photography, has climbed several major peaks worldwide.
Broad Peak, standing at 26,401 feet, ranks as the world’s 12th-highest mountain. Located within Pakistan’s Karakoram range, it is among five peaks over 26,000 feet, attracting global climbers. Climbing in northern Pakistan often faces dangers due to avalanches, falling ice, altitude challenges, and sudden weather changes.