Key facts
- Climbers Nirmal Purja and Kili Pemba Sherpa died in an avalanche on Broad Peak in July.
- Mingma Gyalje Sherpa undertook a recovery mission for his friends' bodies.
- The recovery operation was complicated by logistical issues and weather.
- Nirmal Purja was known for climbing the world's 14 highest mountains in six months.
- Nirmal Purja faced sexual misconduct allegations in 2024, which he denied.
Mingma Gyalje Sherpa, a seasoned mountain guide, faced the arduous task of recovering the bodies of his friends Nirmal Purja and Kili Pemba Sherpa after they were killed in an avalanche on Pakistan's Broad Peak in July. Purja, also known as Nims, was a renowned mountaineer famous for climbing the world's 14 highest peaks in just over six months. The two climbers were engulfed by the avalanche while ascending the mountain.
Drone footage confirmed the tragic outcome, showing no survivors. Mingma G, upon reaching the site, promised to bring his friends home. He recalled Purja's earlier denial of sexual misconduct allegations published by The New York Times in 2024. Despite initial feelings of arrogance, Mingma G developed a deep respect for Purja over the years, finding him kind-hearted.
The recovery mission was fraught with difficulties. Mingma G had to abandon his own K2 expedition to coordinate the efforts. Initial hopes of a helicopter recovery were dashed due to logistical issues and poor weather, with the Pakistani army's response to requests for assistance being slow. The Alpine Club of Pakistan stated that a request was approved but delayed by weather. Consequently, Mingma G opted for a recovery operation on foot. Bodies of Nadhira Al Harthy and Pur Bahadur Gurung were successfully retrieved, but the mission to recover his friends' bodies continued.