Two Alpine Climbers Have Fallen Down K2
Both climbers, Kazuya Hiraide and Kenro Nakajima, have received the Piolet d'Or for previous ascents
Two accomplished Japanese alpine climbers have taken a long fall while attempting a new route up K2, the world’s second highest peak in northern Pakistan. The Japanese Embassy in Islamabad has said their condition is unknown, but two motionless figures have been spotted.
Kazuya Hiraide, 45, and Kenro Nakajima, 39, fell from the 8,611-metre mountain this past Saturday. Alpine Club of Pakistan secretary Karrar Haidri said in a statement, “they fell from a height of 7,500 metres (24,600 feet).” Wali Ullah Falahi, deputy commissioner for the Shigar district, which includes K2, said, “A helicopter rescue was attempted, however the heli could not land. Upon close inspection, the bodies of the two climbers were spotted, and it was determined that there was no movement. The heli then turned back.”
Hirade has received three Piolet d’Or, one of the highest honours in alpinism, and Nakajima has received it twice. At a press conference in 2017, Hiraide said, “For me, climbing is about carving out my own path, not following somebody else’s route.”
Over the past few days, dozens of commercial expedition climbers have successfully climbed K2 via the normal route. Hiraide and Nakajima were attempting a new route in alpine-style up the west face.
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