setting guides died in a disaster which klled a climbing legend
A tragic avalanche on Pakistan's Broad Peak has claimed the lives of several prominent Nepali climbers, including the renowned Nirmal Purja. The loss is being felt deeply across the global mountaineering community, which is mourning the death of these influential guides.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the extreme risks faced by professional mountain guides and the evolving recognition of their critical role in high-altitude mountaineering.
Share Save Add as preferred on Google Kelly Ng , Singapore and Pradeep Bashyal , BBC Nepali, Kathmandu PA British-Nepali climber Nirmal Purja, who led the Broad Peak expedition, was best known for speed climbing the "14 peaks" Altogether, they summited Mount Everest dozens of times and achieved numerous feats previously thought impossible - like climbing 8,000m peaks without supplemental oxygen and scaling K2, one of the world's most lethal mountains, in the dead of winter.
But beyond these accomplishments, the six Nepalis who died in an avalanche on Pakistan's Broad Peak last week also elevated the world's recognition of Nepali mountain guides, or Sherpas, who had previously been seen as mere aides.
Among those killed was the decorated British-Nepali climber Nirmal Purja , best known for climbing the world's 14 highest peaks, rising above 8,000m (26,246 ft), in just over six months.
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