The body of Dr. Asma Mushtaq, a 34-year-old NHS doctor, has been recovered after she died while descending Spantik mountain in Pakistan. Dr. Mushtaq, who worked in obstetrics and gynaecology at Birmingham Heartlands Hospital, was descending the 23,000-foot peak on August 20 when she suffered a severe high-altitude medical emergency at approximately 21,000 feet.
Guides attempted to save her, but she died at the scene, according to the Alpine Club of Pakistan. Efforts to retrieve her body were hampered by severe snowfall, strong winds, and treacherous terrain. A ground team has now successfully recovered her body from beyond Camp III and has begun the journey towards base camp. Local mountaineers carrying her body had reached Camp II by August 31, but continued snowfall at higher altitudes threatened further delays.
Pakistan's information minister Attaullah Tarar confirmed the location of Dr. Mushtaq's body beyond Camp III and stated that the team was assessing site conditions for a safe recovery and evacuation to base camp. Due to the high altitude, helicopters were unable to reach the site, making recovery an arduous ground operation.
A six-person team of specialist high-altitude porters made repeated attempts to reach Dr. Mushtaq. An earlier mission was forced to retreat due to heavy snowfall and high winds. Upon their return, snow had covered the area where her body was believed to be, necessitating an extensive search.
Dr. Mushtaq, originally from Lahore, was part of a five-member Pakistani women's expedition to Spantik, also known as Golden Peak, which is located in the Karakoram range in Gilgit-Baltistan. She was an experienced climber with previous ascents of other peaks, including a winter ascent of Musa ka Musalla peak. She was also associated with expeditions to Rupal and Arandu.
Colleagues at Birmingham Heartlands Hospital remembered Dr. Mushtaq as a respected and compassionate doctor dedicated to the care of women, babies, and their families. Emma Stansfield, medical director for women's health services at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, described her as a highly-respected young doctor whose warmth and positivity touched everyone. The Alpine Club of Pakistan praised the courage of the mountain guides and extended condolences to her family and friends. The club announced that the circumstances surrounding her death and the expedition company's response would be investigated once all teams had safely descended.