US climber’s body airlifted after Broad Peak tragedy

GILGIT: The body of American mountaineer Sarah Mallory Geis, who died in the Broad Peak avalanche last month, has been recovered and transported to Skardu.

Pakistan Army helicopters airlifted her body from the Broad Peak base camp on Tuesday after earlier rescue efforts were delayed by severe weather.

Geis was among 10 climbers who died after an avalanche struck their expedition on July 30. The expedition was led by renowned British-Nepali mountaineer Nirmal Purja.

According to officials, Geis was one of the last two climbers whose bodies had not been recovered from the expedition.

Three local porters recovered her body on Friday, about 22 days after she went missing. They transported it to the Broad Peak base camp, where it remained until weather conditions improved enough for helicopter operations.

Alpine Club of Pakistan General Secretary Ayaz Shigri said the body was finally airlifted to Skardu by Pakistan Army helicopters.

Officials from the Alpine Club, district administration, police and medical authorities received the body at a helipad in Skardu. It was subsequently shifted to the Combined Military Hospital.

The body is expected to be transported to Islamabad after the completion of the required legal formalities.

Meanwhile, rescue efforts are continuing for another missing member of the expedition, Nawang Thindu Sherpa. Authorities said the search operation remains underway.

Broad Peak is the world’s 12th-highest mountain, rising to more than 8,000 metres in the Karakoram range. The peak is considered one of the most challenging high-altitude climbs because of its technical terrain and extreme weather.

Rescue operation resumes for Pakistani climber

Separately, a rescue mission has resumed to recover the body of Pakistani mountaineer Dr Asma Mushtaq, who died while descending Spantik, also known as Golden Peak.

The 34-year-old climber died on August 20 after developing severe high-altitude sickness while descending the 7,027-metre mountain in Gilgit-Baltistan’s Shigar district.

Her body is currently at Camp 3, located at an altitude of about 6,250 metres.

An earlier recovery attempt was disrupted by harsh weather. However, improving conditions allowed a six-member team of high-altitude porters to resume the operation on Tuesday.

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the rescue team had left the base camp and was moving towards Camp 2. He said the team was proceeding cautiously and would continue the mission as weather conditions allowed.

Officials have said Pakistan Army helicopters are expected to transport Mushtaq’s body to Skardu once rescuers bring it down to the base camp.

Mushtaq had successfully reached the summit of Spantik and was reportedly in good health during the ascent. She later developed a serious medical emergency at an altitude of around 6,400 metres while descending.

Her mountain and expedition guides, Akbar Ali and Muhammad Amin, immediately attempted to assist her. Despite their efforts under difficult conditions, she could not survive.

Mushtaq was part of a five-member Pakistani women’s expedition that successfully climbed Spantik. The team also included Zoni Aslam, Zaba Shigri, Shama and Sohana.