Celebrated Nepali climber Nirmal Purja has died in an avalanche during an expedition in Pakistan, according to his company. The accident also killed nine others, making it a deadly incident for the climbing team and a major blow to the mountaineering community.
Purja was widely known for setting the fastest record for climbing the world’s 14 highest mountains. That feat made him one of Nepal’s most prominent mountaineers and brought him international recognition in high-altitude climbing.
His profile grew even further after a Netflix documentary chronicled his journey and introduced his achievements to a much broader global audience. Beyond the climbing world, he became a familiar name to viewers who followed his record-breaking ascent of the highest peaks.
News of Nirmal Purja’s death is likely to be felt deeply in Nepal and across adventure sports circles worldwide. The avalanche in Pakistan also underscores the extreme risks that climbers face on major mountain expeditions.
