A tragic avalanche near Camp 1 on K2 resulted in the death of Pakistani climber Iftikhar Hussain Sadpara, the Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP) confirmed on Saturday. The incident occurred around 2:30 pm on Friday at an altitude roughly 500 meters above base camp, impacting four climbers. While two climbers returned safely to the base and a foreign mountaineer sustained minor injuries, Iftikhar Hussain Sadpara lost his life. His body was recovered and airlifted to Skardu by the Pakistan Army, where he is set to be laid to rest in his native village of Sadpara.
Leaders from the ACP and local authorities have expressed deep condolences for the loss, acknowledging Sadpara’s profound contributions to mountaineering in Pakistan. The region of Gilgit-Baltistan, home to five of the world’s 14 mountains above 8,000 meters, remains a hub for high-risk, high-altitude climbing, where tragedies like this are, sadly, not uncommon. This devastating event follows the disappearance of another Pakistani mountaineer, Mohammad Ali Sadpara, in 2021 during a winter ascent attempt on K2, highlighting the extreme dangers of climbing this notoriously perilous peak.
Details from the Incident and Response:
The avalanche struck near Camp 1, affecting a small group of climbers engaged in an expedition on K2, the world’s second-highest peak at 8,611 meters. Though two climbers made it back safely, one foreign national suffered minor injuries. Iftikhar Hussain Sadpara, a respected climber from Sadpara village near Skardu, was buried under snow and later found deceased. The Alpine Club of Pakistan quickly coordinated with military and aviation authorities to transport his body back home on humanitarian grounds.
Mountaineering Risks and Legacy:
K2 is known as one of the deadliest mountains worldwide due to its challenging weather and rugged terrain, which continuously test the limits of even the most seasoned climbers. Pakistani mountaineers like Sadpara are among the nation’s celebrated heroes, contributing significantly to Pakistan’s reputation in the global climbing community. This tragedy reminds us of the immense risks faced by those who attempt these dangerous ascents. Earlier, the country also mourned Mohammad Ali Sadpara, the only Pakistani to summit eight of the 14 highest peaks, who went missing and was later declared dead during a winter K2 expedition in 2021.
Community and Official Reactions:
Alpine Club of Pakistan President Major General Irfan Arshad and Senior Vice President Karrar Haidri expressed their sorrow and extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. They committed to providing full support to Sadpara’s family and the mountaineering community during this difficult time. The incident underscores the bravery and dedication of Pakistani climbers who continue to pursue mountaineering despite the ever-present dangers, contributing to Pakistan’s prominence as a key destination for high-altitude adventure.