Well-known mountaineer and Netflix star missing after avalanche at 8,047 meters

©picture alliance / NurPhoto | Subaas Shrestha

Mountaineer and Netflix star Nirmal ‘Nims’ Purja is missing after an avalanche on Broad Peak.

British-Nepalese mountaineer Nirmal ‘Nims’ Purja is one of ten people missing after an avalanche on Broad Peak (8,047 m) in northern Pakistan. The Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP) confirmed Friday that the group, led by Purja, has been missing since Thursday afternoon. Rescue teams are on the scene, but bad weather is hampering the search operation.

According to the ACP, the expedition consisted of climbers from Nepal, Pakistan, Oman, China, and the United States. Among them is American wellness entrepreneur Mallory Geis. The group was caught in an avalanche on the slope while en route to Camp 3. GPS data suggests that the avalanche carried the climbers about one kilometer.

An icon of global mountaineering

Purja, nicknamed Nims Dai, is one of the most famous figures in modern mountaineering. In 2019, he made history by becoming the first person to conquer all fourteen “eight-thousanders”—mountains over 8,000 meters—in just six months and six days. His feat was chronicled in the hit Netflix documentary 14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible. Earlier this month, he climbed Gasherbrum II; Broad Peak was a spontaneous addition to his plan, with the goal of becoming the first person to climb all fourteen eight-thousanders twice—without oxygen.

He was born into a Gurkha family in Nepal and served in the British Army for sixteen years before focusing entirely on climbing. He later advocated for the recognition of Nepalese guides and started his own expedition company. At the same time, he was not without controversy: in 2024, The New York Times published allegations of sexual misconduct, which he denied through his attorney.

Disturbing development

On Friday, Pakistani authorities reported that rescue workers had found four bodies on Broad Peak; the search for the remaining six climbers continues. The ACP emphasizes that helicopter support and ground teams will be deployed as soon as weather conditions permit.

©picture alliance / NurPhoto | Subaas Shrestha