Polish climber dies of altitude sickness on Nanga Parbat

CHILAS: A Polish climber lost his life due to acute altitude sickness after conquering the treacherous Nanga Parbat, world’s ninth highest peak, in northern areas of Pakistan.

Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP) said Pawel Tomasz Kopec and his two other compatriots – Piotr Krzyzowski and Waldemar Kowalewski – summited Nanga Parbat on Sunday.

“They achieved their target without supplemental oxygen at different times of the day. Krzyzowski and Kowalewski managed to reach camp 3 at midnight.”

“Kopec faced problems while descending due to harsh weather conditions. Exhausted and dehydrated, he eventually lost his life at a height of 7,400 metres,” said ACP Secretary Karrar Haidri.

Diamer Deputy Commi­ssioner Arif said that the fellows of the Polish expedition team continued their descend. He said a plan to bring back the body from the peak will be chalked up after the return of the Polish team.

With a death probability of 21%, Nanga Parbat ((8,126m) continues to claim its place among the top five most dangerous mountains in the world. Prior to Kopec, a total of 85 climbers died in their attempts to conquer it.