Nirmal Purja, the renowned Nepalese climber who made history by scaling all 14 peaks above 8,000 meters in 190 days, has died in an avalanche on Pakistan’s Broad Peak.
Të lidhura
None found
Nine other members of the expedition also lost their lives, making it one of the worst tragedies in modern mountaineering.
The team was struck by the avalanche on July 30 while moving from Camp 2 toward Camp 3, at an altitude of approximately 6,600 meters. Search-and-rescue efforts began the following day, but the operation was hampered by severe weather conditions.
During the first phase, the bodies of Nepal’s Pur Bahadur Gurung, Sarah Mallory of the United States and Nadhira Al Harthy, known as the first Omani woman to reach the summit of Everest, were found. After the operation resumed, authorities also confirmed the deaths of Nirmal Purja and the seven other climbers who had been reported missing.
The confirmation came from Elite Exped, the agency headed by Purja himself. In a public statement, it described him as “one of the greatest climbers in history” and as a leader who inspired millions of people through his courage and determination.
The loss of Purja and the nine other expedition members is being described as one of the worst disasters ever recorded during climbs of the world’s 8,000-meter peaks. It joins other well-known tragedies that have occurred on Everest, K2, Manaslu and Nanga Parbat.
Purja had initially traveled to Pakistan to climb Gasherbrum II. He later decided to attempt Broad Peak as well, in a bid to become the first person to climb all 14 peaks above 8,000 meters for a second time without supplemental oxygen.
Just days before the tragedy, the climber posted a message on social media: “I don’t take any mountain for granted. From the moment I leave base camp, I am 100% focused.”
Nirmal Purja rose to international fame in 2019 through his “Project Possible” initiative, during which he completed the ascent of the planet’s 14 highest peaks in just 190 days. His achievement was also documented in the Netflix production “14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible.” The former member of the British special forces was regarded as one of the most prominent figures in modern mountaineering.
