Climber Paraglides Off Pakistan’s “Killer Mountain” Nanga Parbat
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German alpinist David Göttler has made history with the first-ever paraglider descent of Nanga Parbat (26,660 feet).
Göttler, along with teammates Tiphaine Duperier and Boris Langenstein, climbed the remote Schell Route, a line first established by Austrian Hanns Schell in 1976. The trio completed the mission in classic alpine style: no fixed ropes, no porters, no oxygen.
“Just one 50-meter rope, a handful of pitons and cams, one tent for three, one stove, one sleeping bag, and all our food and gas,” Göttler told Gripped.
This was Göttler’s fifth attempt on Nanga Parbat after years of trying with different partners including Simone Moro, Herve Barmasse, and Benjamin Védrines. Before arriving in Pakistan, the team acclimatized by climbing Island Peak (6,165m) and Baruntse (7,129m) in Nepal.
The Schell Route, which has seen just eight ascents since 1976, is notoriously remote and complex. Teammate Duperier became only the second woman to summit the mountain via this line.
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After tagging the summit on July 7, strong winds forced the trio to descend. Göttler launched his paraglider from just below the submit—7,700 meters (25,262 feet)—becoming the first person to fly off Nanga Parbat following a successful climb. Duperier and Langenstein bivouacked at 7,625 meters and spent three days skiing and trekking back to base camp.
The descent "was a once-in-a-lifetime thrill," Göttler said.“This success came after years of attempts, which makes me immensely proud."
Göttler’s historic descent reminds us. Style is still king.
