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The Deadly Pakistani Mountain

The Nanga Parbat

By SHAHZAIB ARIFPublished 3 years ago 3 min read
The Deadly Pakistani Mountain
Photo by Mark Basarab on Unsplash

The Nanga Parbat, also known as the "The Killer Mountain," is a peak in the Himalayas located in Pakistan (Gilgit Baltistan). It is one of the highest peaks in the world, with an elevation of 8,126 meters (26,660 feet). Nanga Parbat is considered one of the deadliest peaks in the world due to the high number of fatalities that have occurred during attempts to climb it. As of 2021, over 80 mountaineers have lost their lives on the mountain.

Nanga Parbat was first attempted in 1895 by Albert F. Mummery and his party. However, the attempt was unsuccessful, and Mummery and two of his companions disappeared while attempting to climb the mountain. It wasn't until 1953 that the first successful ascent of Nanga Parbat was made by Austrian climber Hermann Buhl.

Since then, The Nanga Parbat has become a popular destination for climbers from around the world. However, the mountain's reputation as a deadly peak has not diminished. In fact, Nanga Parbat has been the site of some of the most tragic mountaineering accidents in history.

One of the deadliest incidents on Nanga Parbat occurred in 1934 when a German-American expedition led by Willy Merkl attempted to climb the mountain. During the expedition, a severe storm hit the mountain, and several members of the party were killed, including Merkl himself. The bodies of the climbers were never recovered, and they are still believed to be buried somewhere on the mountain.

Another tragic incident occurred in 1953 when a team of British climbers attempted to climb Nanga Parbat's Rupal Face. The Rupal Face is the highest face in the world and is considered the most difficult and dangerous route up the mountain. The British team, led by Eric Shipton, encountered severe weather conditions and was forced to turn back. During the descent, several members of the team were killed, including Tom Bourdillon and Charles Evans.

In 1970, another deadly accident occurred on Nanga Parbat when a Japanese expedition attempted to climb the mountain's Diamir Face. During the expedition, a severe storm hit the mountain, and several members of the team were killed. One of the survivors of the accident, the renowned Japanese climber Naomi Uemura, went on to become the first person to climb all of the Seven Summits.

In recent years, The Nanga Parbat has continued to claim the lives of climbers attempting to conquer its treacherous slopes. In 2013, a group of 10 climbers, including a Chinese national, were killed while attempting to climb the mountain. The climbers were part of an international team attempting to climb the mountain's Mazeno Ridge, one of the longest and most difficult routes up the mountain.

Despite the dangers, Nanga Parbat continues to attract climbers from around the world who are drawn to the challenge of conquering this formidable peak. However, the mountain's reputation as a "Killer Mountain" serves as a sobering reminder of the risks involved in mountaineering.

The dangers of climbing Nanga Parbat are many. The mountain is known for its extreme weather conditions, which can change rapidly and without warning. In addition, the mountain's technical difficulties make it a challenging climb, even for experienced mountaineers. The Rupal Face, in particular, is considered one of the most difficult climbs in the world, requiring a high degree of technical skill and endurance.

Despite these challenges, climbers continue to attempt to climb Nanga Parbat. In recent years, advances in technology and equipment have made it easier for climbers to tackle the mountain's difficult slopes. However, the risks involved in mountaineering are ever-present, and the memory of the climbers who have lost their lives

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About the Creator

SHAHZAIB ARIF

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