Pakistani mountaineers Naila Kiani and Sirbaz Khan found themselves in a harrowing situation on the slopes of Tibet's Shishapangma peak, standing at a towering 8,027 meters. In a perilous moment, they narrowly escaped an avalanche that threatened their lives during their expedition.
Tragically, the treacherous mountain claimed the lives of two climbers from the United States and Nepal. Additionally, two others from these countries remain missing, lost to the wrath of massive avalanches that struck the primary climbing route. These incidents occurred as climbers were making their ambitious push toward the summit.
Naila Kiani and Sirbaz Khan were an integral part of the Imagine Nepal expedition team, embarking on their journey with high hopes. However, their daring summit attempt took a devastating turn when the avalanche struck above the perilous altitude of 7,800 meters. Among the victims were American climber Anna Gutu and her Nepalese guide, Mingmar Sherpa, who tragically lost their lives in the avalanche. Another American climber, Gina Marie, and her guide, Tenjen (Lama) Sherpa from Nepal, remain unaccounted for.
In the face of this calamity, a frantic and heroic rescue effort is underway. As of now, the bodies of the two climbers have been recovered. The expedition manager, Saad Munawar, managed to establish communication with Sirbaz Khan via satellite phone, confirming their safe return to Camp 1 after a heartbreaking decision to abandon their mission.
On October 2, Naila Kiani and Sirbaz Khan had achieved a remarkable milestone by becoming the first Pakistani duo to conquer Cho Oyu, a colossal peak standing at 8,201 meters in Tibet, ranking as the world's sixth-highest. Kiani's remarkable achievements include being the first Pakistani woman climber to summit an astounding 10 peaks above 8,000 meters, accomplishing seven of these awe-inspiring feats in a mere six months. Sirbaz Khan stands tall as the sole Pakistani mountaineer to conquer 13 peaks above 8,000 meters, an impressive feat further enhanced by his ability to do so without supplementary oxygen.
Karrar Haidri, Secretary of the Alpine Club of Pakistan, provided confirmation that both Naila Kiani and Sirbaz Khan had safely reached Camp 1. Despite their triumphant past endeavors, the mission had to be cut short due to the catastrophic events that unfolded.
A somber tone was expressed on Naila Kiani's official social media page, mourning the loss of four climbers to the merciless avalanches and the subsequent termination of their mission. Naila and Sirbaz, who bore witness to this tragedy, returned to Camp 1 with heavy hearts, deeply shaken and distressed. Their sincere condolences go out to the families and friends of the climbers who tragically lost their lives on the unforgiving slopes of Shishapangma.