K2 Avalanche Kills Pakistani Porter Iftikhar Hussain
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Climber and porter Iftikhar Hussain, from Skardu, Pakistan, was killed in a devastating avalanche on K2. The slide released about 500 meters above base camp and struck a four-member team from Mountain Professionals as they descended from Camp 1 toward Base camp early Friday afternoon, July 18.
The avalanche swept up Hussain, Nepali climbers Dawa Finjo Sherpa and Dawa Geljen Sherpa, and Pakistani porter Niaz Ali, also from Skardu. All four were part of the Boulder, Colorado-based guiding service’s expedition team.
Immediate Rescue Efforts
A ground rescue team dispatched from Base Camp shortly after the slide, but there was nothing rescuers could do to save Hussain. The other three climbers were able to descend to safety under their own power.
Mountain Professionals Confirms Tragic Loss
Ryan Waters, CEO of Mountain Professionals, expressed the team’s grief in an interview with ExplorersWeb:
“Hussain, one of the porters supporting our team, who was contracted through a local partner, tragically lost his life. We are deeply saddened by this loss, and our thoughts are with his family and the local climbing community in Pakistan.
Our international guide and clients were at Base Camp at the time of the incident and are all safe. Some of our support team members were higher on the route. Everyone from our team, including climbing Sherpas, has returned to Base Camp and is accounted for.
As this situation is still developing, we are continuing to gather accurate information from our team. We understand there is wide interest and will be able to share more once we have confirmed details and have connected with all the appropriate parties."
Waters added that the company is still gathering accurate information and will provide updates as they confirm more details.
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Hussain’s Return Home to Skardu
On Saturday, Army Aviation helicopters transported Hussain’s body and the injured climber, Dawa Finjo Sherpa, from K2 Base Camp to Skardu. Authorities returned Hussain’s remains to his family in his home village of Sadpara for burial.
A Sobering Reminder of K2’s Dangers
Often called the “Savage Mountain,” K2 has earned its reputation as one of the most dangerous peaks in the world. Until 2021, roughly one climber died for every four who summited. The tragedy underscores the tremendous risks borne by local porters and guides who make high-altitude expeditions possible.
As commercial climbing on K2 continues to grow, Hussain’s death serves as a stark reminder that those working behind the scenes, often for modest pay, should be front and center in conversations about safety and responsibility on the world’s highest mountains.
