A tragic incident unfolded as a Japanese mountaineer lost his life and another suffered injuries when rocks dislodged and struck them during their attempt to scale an unexplored mountain in Pakistan. The climbers, engaged in an expedition arranged by a local tour operator, were situated in the Andaq Valley in the northern region of the country.
Karrar Haidri, the secretary of the Alpine Club of Pakistan, revealed that the climbers were pursuing the ascent of the never-before-scaled Virgin Peak, towering at an impressive altitude of 5,800 meters (19,029 feet).
Shinji Tamura tragically slipped and fell from a height of 5,380 meters (17,650 feet) while striving to ascend the mountain on a Friday, as conveyed by Haidri to The Associated Press.
Semba Takayasu, the companion of the deceased, recounted that they were jointly descending using a double rope spanning about 60 meters (197 feet) when their anchoring point gave way, resulting in a simultaneous fall. The impact of the fall inflicted severe injuries upon Tamura, believed by Takayasu to have been caused by a rock.
Despite Takayasu’s recommendation for Tamura to remain immobile due to his injuries, Tamura seemed to exhibit confidence in attempting to reach a nearby campground before disappearing.
Takayasu managed to return to the base camp to seek assistance, prompting a swift dispatch of a search team to the location of Tamura’s fall. Tragically, the search for his body was called off, with local authorities confirming Tamura’s demise. Haidri explained that the search was hindered by the depth and softness of the crevices in the area.
Pakistani authorities have initiated an investigation into the death of a Pakistani porter near the summit of K2, renowned as the world’s most perilous mountain. This incident underscores the formidable challenges and risks inherent in mountaineering endeavors, particularly on uncharted terrain.
