A severe avalanche on Broad Peak in Pakistan's Karakoram range has resulted in the presumed deaths of six climbers, including Nirmal Purja, the Nepali mountaineer known for his appearance in the Netflix series "14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible." The incident occurred around 12 p.m. local time on Thursday, July 30.
Purja, 43, was leading an expedition of 10 climbers when the avalanche, described as a snow and ice tsunami, struck the 8,047-meter (26,400 ft) peak. The group included climbers from Nepal, Pakistan, Oman, China, and the United States.
Rescuers located four bodies on Friday but continued searching for the remaining six missing individuals. Adverse weather conditions have reportedly hampered helicopter rescue operations. The Alpine Club of Pakistan confirmed receiving concerning reports of the avalanche, stating the team had been unreachable since the event.
The American climber among the missing has been identified as Mallory Geis, 39. Geis, based in San Antonio, had recently announced on social media her intention to pursue new adventures, hinting at a future involving climbing gear.
Purja is a celebrated figure in the mountaineering world. Before becoming a full-time mountaineer and tour guide, he served with Britain's Brigade of Gurkhas and the Royal Marines' Special Boat Squadron. He previously set a record by climbing all 14 peaks over 8,000 meters in six months and six days between April and October 2019. In 2021, he was part of the team that achieved the first winter ascent of K2. Purja also holds the record for reaching the summits of Mount Everest, Lhotse, and Makalu within a 48-hour period.
Broad Peak, the 12th highest mountain in the world, is located in the Karakoram range, a sub-range of the Himalayas. The region is known for its challenging climbing conditions.
