The group, led by a record-breaking mountaineer and a former British Marine, have been out of contact for several hours since the avalanche struck on Thursday afternoon
Former soldier Nirmal ‘Nims’ Purja on the top of Ama Dablam in the Himalayas(Image: PA)
A group of 10 climbers have vanished after an avalanche struck Pakistan’s Broad Peak – the 12th highest mountain in the world.
The group was being led on an expedition up the pea by record-breaking mountaineer and former British Marine Nirmal ‘Nims’ Purja.
The group have been out of contact for several hours since the avalanche struck at around noon local time on Thursday (July 30), the Alpine Club of Pakistan said.
As well as Purja, the 10-person group included five Nepalese climbers, Pakistani climber Sohail Sakhi, Omani climber Nadhira, American mountaineer Mallory Geis, a Chinese climber so far identified as Mr Wang, and one other climber of unknown nationality.
Nirmal ‘Nims’ Purja, who is now missing after an avalanche on the world’s 12th highest peak(Image: PR Alan)
Alpine Club of Pakistan president Major General Irfan Arshad said its leaders were in close contact with government officials to assist with the ongoing search and rescue operation.
Arshad added that the club was making every effort to send helicopters and other available relief resources to the area as soon as possible.
As per Outside Magazine: “Tracking data of the expedition shows a rapid descent that would align with that of an avalanche.
“Rescue efforts are underway, but are not expected to reach the mountain until Friday morning (local time).” As per time of writing, it is 5.25am locally, or 1.25am BST.
Broad Peak is the 12th highest mountain in the world. It stands at an elevation of 8,051 metres (26,414 feet) above sea level and is considered one of the most difficult peaks tackled by climbers.
Broad Peak mountain in northern Pakistan(Image: Getty Images)
Purja, who was leading the now missing 10-person expedition, is a former British special forces soldier and is one of the world’s most accomplished high-altitude climbers.
Purja served for 16 years in the British military, including 10 years with UK Special Forces after becoming the first Gurkha to pass the elite SBS selection process. He later achieved global recognition by climbing all 14 of the world’s 8,000-metre peaks in a record six months and six days, a feat documented in the Netflix film 14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible.
In 2018, he was awarded an MBE by Queen Elizabeth II for his exceptional military service in high-risk environments.
Purja and his company Elite Exped were leading the 10-person expedition when the avalanche struck.
According to the Everest Chronicle, the avalanche comes days after Purja completed his 57th successful ascent of a 8,000-metre peak. He completed an oxygenless ascent of Gasherbrum II on July 21. He was also nearing completion of his Hat Trick Campaign to climb all 14 of the 8,000-metre peaks three times over.
But his career has not all been a success – with controversy coming in the form of allegations of sexual assault during expeditions, as reported by The New York Times.
See the full statement from the Alpine Club of Pakistan here:
Nims’ 2019 record: Project Possible
In 2019, Nims completed his famous “Project Possible”, scaling all 14 of the world’s independent peaks over 8,000 meters in an astonishing six months and six days (189 days), shattering the previous record of nearly eight years.
Project Possible timeline:
– Start Date: April 23, 2019, with the summit of Annapurna.
– Phase 1 (The First Six Peaks in Nepal & China): Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Kangchenjunga, Mount Everest, Lhotse, and Makalu—completed between April 23 and May 24, 2019.
– The 48-Hour Record: Summitted Mount Everest, Lhotse, and Makalu consecutively within a historic 48-hour window.
– Phase 2 (The Pakistan Peaks): Nanga Parbat, Gasherbrum I, Gasherbrum II, K2, and Broad Peak—completed in July and August 2019.
– Completion Date: October 29, 2019, atop Shisha Pangma in Tibet, China.
