Nirmal Purja, the celebrated mountaineer known as Nimsdai, has been confirmed dead following a deadly avalanche on Pakistan's Broad Peak. Purja, 43, a former member of the British Army and Royal Marines, was leading an expedition of ten climbers when the avalanche struck around noon local time on Thursday.
Elite Expeditions, Purja's climbing company, announced the tragic news on social media Saturday, stating that other members of the expedition also did not survive. The company confirmed the loss of Purja, along with trusted climbing partners Pur Bahadur Gurung (Yukta) and Nima Sherpa. Search efforts, supported by military helicopters, recovered the bodies of those lost.
British adventurer Bear Grylls paid tribute to Purja on Instagram, calling him a "remarkable and unique man" whose "unstoppable spirit" would not be forgotten. Former reality television star Spencer Matthews, who appeared with Purja in the 2023 documentary "Finding Michael," shared his heartbreak, having previously posted prayers for a miracle for his friend.
The documentary followed an expedition to Mount Everest to search for Matthews' late brother, who disappeared on the mountain in 1999. Purja was born in Nepal and gained international recognition for his climbing achievements, including summiting all 14 of the world's peaks over 8,000 meters in a record-breaking time.