The Alpine Club of Pakistan revealed in a statement on Monday that renowned mountaineer Murad Sadpara of Pakistan passed away tragically while descending Broad Peak, which is 8,047 meters high. Sadpara was seriously hurt during his descent at camp one by a dislodged rock, despite being well known for his bravery in rescue missions and dedication to mountain cleanup initiatives.
Rescue efforts were delayed despite the urgency of the situation because of the difficult circumstances on the mountain. Upon arriving at camp one, the Broad Peak Rescue Team, which had been dispatched from the base camp earlier in the day, confirmed the devastating news.
Sadpara had been spearheading a cleanup effort on K2 this year after his recent and successful journey to retrieve the body of fellow mountaineer Hasan Shagri, who had perished on K2 the year before. His diligent efforts to remove climbers’ corpses off the summit and clear the treacherous routes frequented by many explorers demonstrated his commitment to maintaining the world’s second-highest peak clean and safe.
Sadly, a tragedy occurred during this year’s mission. Once Shagri’s body was successfully recovered, Sadpara set out to climb Broad Peak once more, this time with the assistance of a Portuguese mountaineer. Unfortunately, the Portuguese climber became ill and they had to turn back, ending their ascent. Sadpara suffered serious injuries from the falling rock during their descent, which resulted in a deadly accident. The harsh surroundings and logistical difficulties prevented a prompt rescue, despite efforts to save him.
Since then, Sadpara’s remains have been brought to the Japanese camp, where they will stay until they can be moved to the base camp. It is anticipated to reach the base camp by today when an army helicopter will take it to Skardu. Murad Sadpara, who was only 35 years old at the time, was already well-known for being a fearless and committed mountaineer who fervently supported the preservation of Pakistan’s hilly areas.
He drove tractors to support his family throughout the winter and spent his summers on the peaks. Along with a son and three daughters, he leaves behind an enduring legacy of bravery and selflessness. The body of an Afghan mountaineer was successfully rescued by Sadpara from camp three of K2, garnering widespread recognition for his bravery last year. His passing serves as a sobering reminder of the tremendous risks associated with high-altitude climbing, where it is frequently quite difficult to distinguish between life and death.
In addition to his incredible climbing accomplishments, Murad Sadpara will be remembered for his unshakable commitment to his fellow climbers and the mountains he held in such high regard. The climbing community and everyone who knew him as a dedicated, modest man are deeply saddened by his passing.
