Nims Dai Purja Confirmed Dead Following Broad Peak Avalanche in Pakistan

Nirmal “Nims Dai” Purja, one of the most accomplished high-altitude mountaineers in history, has been confirmed dead following Thursday’s devastating avalanche on Broad Peak (8,047 meters) in Pakistan’s Karakoram Range. The announcement was made on Saturday, August 1, by his expedition company, Elite Exped, bringing a heartbreaking end to two days of uncertainty and hope.

In a statement shared on Instagram, Elite Exped confirmed that Purja had lost his life in the avalanche and that other members of the expedition had also perished.

“Today, it is with profound sadness and immense heartbreak that we confirm that Nirmal ‘Nimsdai’ Purja tragically lost his life following the avalanche on Broad Peak. We have also received confirmation that other members of the expedition sadly did not survive.”

The company also confirmed the deaths of Purja’s trusted climbing partners and guides, Pur Bahadur Gurung “Yukta” and Nima Sherpa.

“Today, we mourn not only Nims, but every life lost in this tragedy including his trusted climbing partners and guides, Pur Bahadur Gurung (Yukta) and Nima Sherpa. Our deepest thoughts, prayers and heartfelt condolences are with their families, friends and loved ones.”

The avalanche struck the international expedition on July 30 as the team climbed the world’s 12th-highest mountain. Poor weather severely hampered rescue efforts in the days that followed, while helicopters and ground teams searched the mountain. Earlier reports had confirmed the recovery and identification of Pur Bahadur Gurung “Yukta” and Omani climber Nadhira Al Harthy, while American climber Mallory Geis was declared deceased after rescuers recovered and identified a leg found in the avalanche debris.



Related: Nims Dai Purja Amont 10 People Missing After Avalanche Strikes Pakistan’s Broad Peak



Purja’s business partner Mingma David Sherpa had flown to Pakistan this morning to help with the search and recovery. 





 





















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A post shared by Mr.Sherpa (@mingma_david_sherpa)







Nims Purja, 43, transformed the sport of high-altitude mountaineering. A former Gurkha and UK Special Boat Service (SBS) soldier, he stunned the climbing world in 2019 by completing all 14 of the world’s 8,000-meter peaks in just six months and six days during his groundbreaking Project Possible expedition, shattering the previous record of more than seven years. He later went on to climb all 14 peaks without supplemental oxygen and was attempting to become the first person in history to climb all 14 eight-thousanders twice without supplemental oxygen.

His achievements reached audiences far beyond the mountaineering community through the Netflix documentary 14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible, which chronicled both his record-breaking expedition and the extraordinary logistical challenges behind it.

Elite Exped said Purja’s impact extended far beyond his climbing accomplishments.

“The world has lost one of mountaineering’s greatest climbers; a leader who inspired millions through his courage, humility and unwavering belief that human potential is far greater than we often imagine. More than his extraordinary achievements, he wanted to show the world what was possible when you dared to dream bigger, believed in yourself and refused to accept limitations.”

The company added that Purja’s legacy would endure through the organizations he founded, including Elite Exped, the Nimsdai Foundation, Skydive Nimsdai, and Nimsdai Store, as well as through the countless people he inspired around the world.

Elite Exped went on to thank the Pakistani search-and-rescue teams and everyone involved in the recovery effort, saying it would make no further public comment beyond information confirmed by the relevant authorities out of respect for the families affected.

The identities and status of the remaining climbers involved in the avalanche are expected to be confirmed by Pakistani and Nepali authorities as recovery operations continue.

Rest in peace, Nims. 



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