Broad Peak Rescuers Move 4 Bodies as 1 More Is Spotted Above 5,700 Meters

Q: Despite earlier reports of safe snow conditions, what triggered the catastrophic avalanche that silenced ten climbers on Broad Peak?

There is no confirmed trigger yet. Despite earlier accounts from other climbers that Broad Peak had generally stable snow and low avalanche danger, officials and rescuers have not publicly identified what set off the slide that hit Nirmal Purja’s team around midday. What is known is that conditions on Broad Peak can change very quickly. Even after a period of relative stability, avalanches can still be released by sudden weather shifts, fresh wind-loaded snow, warming during the day, or the movement of a large group on steep terrain. Reports say the avalanche struck the upper mountain during a summit push, and tracking data showed a sudden rapid descent consistent with the team being swept away. The earlier “safe” assessments came from separate climbers on the mountain who said most unstable snow had already fallen earlier in the season and that avalanche risk had appeared low. But those were general observations, not a guarantee of safety at the exact time and place where Purja’s team was climbing. In short, the catastrophe appears to have been caused by a sudden avalanche on the upper slopes of Broad Peak, but the precise trigger remains unknown pending rescue findings and any later investigation.

3 articles · Updated · ExplorersWeb · Aug 3

An eight-member ground team found Nirmal Purja’s body at 5,700 meters and moved four victims from the avalanche site, bringing Kili Pemba “Kilu” Sherpa down to Camp 1.
Three other bodies — Wang Zhong, Nima Sherpa and another victim seen higher up — remain on the mountain because the terrain is steep, unstable and dangerous for rescuers.
Searchers have asked the Pakistan Army for a helicopter long-line retrieval, but the Alpine Club of Pakistan said military pilots may reject the mission on safety grounds.
Eight of the 10 climbers swept away in the July 30 Broad Peak avalanche have now been reached; Nawang Thindu Sherpa and Sohail Sakhi are still unconfirmed.