Summit climbers abseil during K2 ascent
Two experienced mountain climbers from Japan attempted to climb K2 via the West Wall - a route first achieved in 2007. During their attempt, an accident occurred: The men fell in gigantic height. The rescue operation for the emergency services proved to be difficult.
In Pakistan, two Japanese top mountain climbers have fallen during the ascent of K2. "A rescue attempt was made with a helicopter, but it could not land," said Vice-Commissioner of the Shigar District, Wali Ullah Falahi. The two men were spotted but had not moved. So far, they have not been declared dead.
Experienced mountain climbers Kazuya Hiraide and Kenro Nakajima had attempted an ascent over the fractured West Wall of the second largest mountain in the world, which is 8611 meters high. They relied on a climbing style that prioritizes speed and uses few fixed ropes. On Saturday, they fell at an altitude of 7500 meters, according to the Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP).
The height and steep slope forced the rescue helicopter to abandon its landing, according to Japanese sports equipment manufacturer Ishii Sports, which sponsors the mountain climbers. "The pilot said he saw the two men, but their status was unclear," it continued. "We are currently investigating how we can rescue them." Rescue attempts on the Southeast Ridge, over which most mountain climbers ascend to the K2 summit, are extremely risky. The West Wall is steeper, and it has only been successfully ascended by a Russian team in 2007.
According to ACP, Hiraide and Nakajima had carefully planned and trained for their expedition. Both were multiple award-winning athletes, it was reported. In this summer season, three other Japanese mountain climbers have died in Pakistan - all on the 7027-meter-high mountain Spantik, which, like K2, is located in the Gilgit-Baltistan region. There are five of the 14 world mountains that are over 8000 meters high in Pakistan. K2 is considered more difficult to climb than Mount Everest.
The international mountaineering community is closely watching the situation in Pakistan, as two renowned Japanese climbers, Tod Hiraide and Pakistani-born Kenro Nakajima, are currently in distress after falling during their attempt to climb K2 via the West Wall. Despite several rescue efforts, their status remains uncertain.
