Search teams on Friday located the remains of American climber Mallory Geis, the final missing individual from a 10-member international mountaineering team that perished in an avalanche on Pakistan's Broad Peak several weeks prior.
The discovery was confirmed by Irfan Arshad Khan, president of the Alpine Club of Pakistan, who stated that local volunteers found Geis’ remains. The expedition marked Geis’ first attempt at climbing an 8,000-meter (26,247-foot) peak.
Geis, 39, resided in San Antonio, Texas. Earlier this year, she announced on social media her decision to close her Pilates studio to embark on a new journey, anticipating significant involvement with climbing gear.
Her family described her as a "bright light" cherished by loved ones in a statement released earlier this month. The recovery operation concluded a search that commenced on July 31, following the avalanche that swept away the expedition. The team was led by renowned climber Nirmal Purja.
Purja, a former British Army soldier born in Nepal and widely known as Nims Dai, previously set a record by climbing the world’s 14 highest peaks in 189 days in 2019, an accomplishment documented in the Netflix film “14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible.” His record has since been surpassed.
Climbing expeditions in northern Pakistan frequently involve hazards such as avalanches, falling ice and rock, extreme altitudes, and unpredictable weather conditions.