The remains of US climber Mallory Geis were located after a deadly avalanche on Pakistan’s Broad Peak, a 26,400‑ft mountain on the China‑Pakistan border.
The 10‑person team, led by famed Nepal‑born mountaineer Nirmal Purja, was attempting the summit when a snow collapse struck Thursday, killing at least three members.
Authorities recovered the bodies of Geis – a 39‑year‑old San Antonio native – together with Oman’s Nadhira Ahmed Abdullah Al Harthy and Nepal’s Pur Bahadur Gurung. A fourth climber’s location remains unknown.
Rescue helicopters from the Pakistan army have flown into the Karakoram range, transporting the remains to a hospital for identification. The Alpine Club of Pakistan confirmed the wreckage and the challenges posed by severe weather.
Broad Peak, the world’s twelfth highest mountain, has been a hunting ground for climbers since its first ascent in 1957. An avalanche this year marks one of its deadliest, with six fatalities in 2013.
While the search continues, the mountaineering community mourns the loss of these seasoned climbers. The Alpine Club expressed solidarity with the families and highlighted the slim chances of survival after prolonged exposure to extreme conditions.
