Massacre at Nanga Parbat Base Camp
A Sad Day in the Karakorum as Canadians Slawinski and Welsted Return to Islamabad
Canadians Ian Welsted and Raphael Slawinski along with American Jesse Huey are on an expedition in Pakistan. Early this morning they were on a bus on the Karakorum Highway, where they were turned around. Late last night armed men entered the base camp of Nanga Parbat, and killed 9-11 tourists, it is the not clear if the tourists were intending on climbing Nanga Parbat or just visiting the camp. The victims are five Ukrainians, three Chinese, one Russian and one Pakistani.
Nanga Parbat (8,126m) is the ninth highest mountain in the world and is known as ‘killer mountain’ because of the number of climbers who have died.
The Taliban have taken responsibility for the attack, saying it is a retaliation against drone strikes.
The northern region of Pakistan is a popular area for climbers and tourism, until now it has been a relatively safe area.
A Facebook update from Ian Welsted this morning said, ‘There has been a massacre at Nanga Parbat base camp involving an expedition travelling with our tour group. We are unsure of the situation but want to let people know that we are in Islamabad, sending our condolences to those involved.’
Welsted, Slawinski and Huey recieved the Lyman Spitzer and Mugs Stump Awards for this expedition. The climbers were going to attempt a new route on the west face of K6 West.
We wish our friends safe travels.
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