Pakistan Avalanche Wipes Out Generation of Nepali Climbing Legends

According to Nepali expedition operators, an avalanche on Pakistan’s 8,051-meter Broad Peak on July 30 killed six Nepali lives, including world-renowned mountaineer Nirmal Purja, known as Nimsdai. The disaster wiped out a generation of high-altitude climbers possessing decades of technical expertise and leadership, marking one of the most concentrated losses of internationally recognized mountaineers in a single mountain disaster.

Climber Profiles and Fatalities on Broad Peak

The avalanche claimed the lives of Pur Bahadur Gurung (Yukta), Kili Pemba Sherpa (Kilu), Nima Sherpa, Nawang Thendu Sherpa, and Gyaljen Sherpa (Gyalu), alongside Nirmal Purja. According to Chhang Dawa Sherpa, director of Seven Summit Treks, Gyalu set a Guinness World Record by summiting Kanchenjunga three times in a single season and climbed Everest many times. Gyalu and Nawang Thendu Sherpa were associated with Seven Summit Treks. Pur Bahadur Gurung and Nima Sherpa worked as senior guides with Nimsdai’s Elite Exped, while Kili Pemba Sherpa served as a lead guide with Imagine Nepal.

Kili Pemba Sherpa’s death occurred less than a month after he reached the summit of Pakistan’s 8,126-meter Nanga Parbat on July 3, completing all 14 of the world’s 8,000-meter peaks. Born in Beding in 1980, Kili Pemba began working on expeditions at age 16 and summited Everest 15 times, according to his uncle, Dawa Chirring Sherpa. He was also part of the historic January 16, 2021 winter ascent of K2 led by Nimsdai. His body was recovered on July 31, sending shockwaves through the Rolwaling Valley.

Impact on Nepal’s Adventure Tourism Sector

The loss of these experienced guides creates lasting consequences for Nepal’s adventure tourism sector. Chhang Dawa Sherpa noted that training international-standard mountain guides takes years of repeated expeditions and practical experience, stating that losing professionals of this caliber is a devastating blow to both Nepal and the global mountaineering community.

Pur Bahadur Gurung, who had climbed 12 of the world’s 14 mountains above 8,000 meters, joined Nimsdai’s Broad Peak team after a client’s broken arm postponed a planned K2 attempt. Yukta was the first climber from the Gurung community to summit Everest 10 times. His body was recovered alongside Omani climber Nadhira Al Harthy. Meanwhile, 29-year-old Nawang Thendu Sherpa added to the heavy toll on families in the region; Ongdi Tshering Sherpa, chairman of Makalu Rural Municipality, noted that Nawang’s father and three brothers are also veteran climbers who have summited 8,000m peaks.