Tragedy struck on K2, the world’s second-highest mountain, as two elite Japanese climbers fell from a height of 7,500 meters (24,600 feet) while attempting an ascent of the treacherous western face.
Kazuya Hiraide and Kenro Nakajima, both renowned veteran mountaineers, were attempting a rapid ascent using minimal fixed ropes when the accident occurred.
The Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP) confirmed the climbers’ fall and reported that a helicopter rescue mission was initiated shortly thereafter. However, the operation was fraught with challenges.
“The helicopter could not land due to the high altitude and steep slope,” said Wali Ullah Falahi, deputy commissioner for Shigar district. Despite spotting the motionless bodies of the climbers, the pilot deemed it unsafe to proceed, leading to the mission’s abort.
While Ishii Sports, the outdoor goods brand sponsoring Hiraide and Nakajima, indicated that the status of the climbers remains unclear, the ACP has yet to officially confirm their deaths.
“The pilot saw the two men but could not determine their condition,” the company stated, adding that they are assessing the best way to attempt a rescue.
The daunting western face of K2 is notoriously challenging and has only been summited once, by a Russian team in 2007. The climbing community has expressed deep concern over the increased risks associated with high-altitude rescues on K2, especially given the mountain’s reputation as the “Savage Mountain.”
Both climbers have received the prestigious Piolets d’Or awards multiple times, recognized for their exceptional accomplishments in the sport. The ACP shared that Hiraide and Nakajima had meticulously planned their K2 expedition, underscoring their commitment to advancing high-altitude mountaineering.
This incident follows a series of tragedies in the region, with three other Japanese climbers losing their lives earlier this summer on the 7,027-meter Spantik mountain. The perilous nature of climbing in Pakistan, home to five of the world’s 14 peaks over 8,000 meters, continues to claim the lives of even the most seasoned athletes. As the climbing community waits for updates, Hiraide and Nakajima’s legacy of bravery and skill hangs in the balance against the backdrop of one of the world’s most formidable mountain ranges.
