On the lower slopes of Nanga Parbat, well below those going for the summit, Czech climber Klara Kolouchova has died in an accident. The fatal circumstances remain murky.
The online media in Pakistan have posted different explanations. Early reports spoke of the explosion of an oxygen bottle. However, a later story in The Pamir Times suggests that Kolouchova fell somewhere between Camp 1 and Camp 2 at around 4 am this morning.
Climbing partners’ report
“Her teammates later confirmed her death after reaching Base Camp, though the body remains at the fall site,” Diamir’s Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Nizamuddin told The Pamir Times.
According to reports, Kolouchova was on Nanga Parbat with her husband and five other climbing partners. They had reached Base Camp on June 17. It is not clear whether they formed an independent group or were part of a larger team.
File image of Klara Kolouchova. Photo: Facebook
Tough conditions
Climbers on the mountain have reported tough conditions on the mountain this year because of high temperatures. There is little snow until Camp 3, and climbers have to thread past rocky sections and elsewhere, use the front points of their crampons on bare ice. There have also been several rockfalls.
Kolouchova was a cautious climber who was ready to turn around if conditions were too risky. That is what happened on her first attempt on Nanga Parbat last year. She aborted her attempt shortly after the Kinshofer wall because of weather and snow conditions.
Karrar Haidri, Secretary of Pakistan Alpine Club, confirmed her death and noted that an army helicopter will fly tomorrow morning to locate and retrieve her body.
Kolouchova, 46, was the first Czech female climber to summit the world’s three highest peaks (Everest, K2, and Kangchenjunga). She had previously climbed Cho Oyu and, in 2024, added Annapurna to her successful 8,000m list. This past spring, she attempted Dhaulagiri. She was a mother of two.
Klara Kolouchova took this from Camp 2 during her previous attempt on Nanga Parbat last year. Photo: Klara Kolouchova/Facebook
Waiting for news about summits
Meanwhile, news is expected from the climbers who are high up on the mountain. Horia Colibasanu of Romania — climbing independently without oxygen — and Allie Pepper of Australia — climbing with Mikel Sherpa — will leave for the summit tonight.
Tashfeen of Pakistan, also without oxygen, is heading to Camp 4. Dorota Rasinska-Samocko of Poland returned to Camp 3 after summiting earlier today. There is very little information from the mountain, where there is no internet or cell connection.
