Nirmal “Nims Dai” Purja, the legendary Nepal-born mountaineer who climbed all 14 of the world’s 8,000-metre peaks in a record six months and six days, has been confirmed dead after an avalanche struck his expedition on PoK’s Broad Peak.Purja, 43, was confirmed dead on Saturday by his expedition company Elite Exped, ending a two-day search operation after the avalanche swept a group of climbers down the 8,047-metre mountain on Thursday.“It is with profound sadness and immense heartbreak that we confirm that Nirmal ‘Nimsdai’ Purja tragically lost his life following the avalanche on Broad Peak,” Elite Exped said in a statement.The company also confirmed the deaths of Purja’s climbing partners and guides, Pur Bahadur Gurung, known as “Yukta”, and Nima Sherpa. Other members of the expedition were also killed in the avalanche.The avalanche struck on July 30 as the expedition climbed between Camp 2 and higher elevations on Broad Peak in PoK’s Karakoram range. The entire team lost communication after the avalanche, while rescue efforts were hampered by poor weather and the danger of further avalanches.Tracking data showed Purja at about 6,660 metres shortly before the avalanche. His device later indicated a sharp drop in altitude, suggesting he had been swept hundreds of metres down the mountain. The signal subsequently stopped.Military helicopters and ground teams led by experienced Nepali climbers joined the search. Rescuers located several of the missing climbers, but none showed signs of life. Recovery teams continued searching for the remaining missing climbers.Purja had been attempting to add Broad Peak to an already extraordinary climbing record. In 2019, he completed all 14 of the world’s peaks above 8,000 metres in six months and six days as part of his Project Possible expedition, breaking the previous record of more than seven years.He later became the fastest climber to complete all 14 eight-thousanders without supplementary oxygen and was attempting to become the first person to climb all 14 twice without supplemental oxygen.A former British Gurkha and Special Boat Service soldier, Purja entered mountaineering after a 2012 trek to Everest Base Camp. His 2019 record-breaking expedition was later chronicled in the Netflix documentary “14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible”, bringing him international recognition.Purja was also part of the Nepali team that made the first winter ascent of K2 in January 2021. He later founded Elite Exped and the Nimsdai Foundation and became a prominent advocate for Nepali climbers and high-altitude workers.His death came days after he wrote on Instagram that he was seeking “nothing but safe passage” up and down Broad Peak, adding that he took no mountain for granted. His passing is a great loss to the mountaineering community and the people of Nepal.
