Broad Peak Avalanche Kills Nirmal Purja and 5 Elite Nepali Guides, Deepening Loss From 10 Deaths
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Aug 4
Broad Peak Avalanche Kills Nirmal Purja and 5 Elite Nepali Guides, Deepening Loss From 10 Deaths
3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Aug 4
Summary
Six Nepali guides killed on Broad Peak included Nirmal Purja, 43, whose death fellow climbers called a devastating blow to Nepal's mountaineering community.
Purja was best known for climbing all 14 peaks above 8,000 meters in just over six months, a feat that helped raise global recognition of Nepali guides beyond support roles.
Kili Pemba Sherpa, 46, had just completed the 14-peak Grand Slam, while IFMGA-certified Pur Bahadur Gurung, 37, had summited 12 of the 14 highest mountains.
The other victims—Gyaljen Sherpa, Nima Sherpa and Nawang Thindu Sherpa—were also regarded as top or rising guides in a cohort that worked on Pakistan's harder, more remote peaks.
Broad Peak's disaster is unlikely to curb high-altitude tourism, climbers and experts said, because Pakistan's Karakoram still draws elite guides despite greater logistical risk and a history of deadly accidents.