Mountaineer Pur Bahadur Gurung Dies on Broad Peak After Avalanche

Renowned Nepali mountaineer Pur Bahadur Gurung, widely known as Yukta, has died while attempting to scale Broad Peak in Pakistan, a mountain standing at 8,047 meters. The Alpine Club of Pakistan confirmed his death, reporting that four bodies were recovered following an avalanche that hit the climbing expedition.

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He started as a porter in 2009.

Among the recovered were Nadhira Al Harthy, a climber from Oman, and Gurung himself, both identified by authorities. The Nepal National Mountain Guide Association also confirmed Yukta's demise, attributing it to an avalanche on the peak.

Born in 1989 in Gorkha, Nepal, Gurung's life was shaped by the Himalayas. After a brief aspiration to join the British Army, he began his mountaineering career as a porter in 2009. He steadily progressed through roles as a kitchen helper, assistant guide, trekking guide, and eventually a planning guide. His colleague, Tulsi Singh Gurung, noted that Yukta had recently qualified as an International Mountain Guide in December.

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He had qualified as an International Mountain Guide through the Nepal National Mountain Guide Association, but today we had to hear this tragic news.

Yukta held an impressive record, having summited Mount Everest ten times, more than any other climber from the Gurung community. He had also successfully conquered 12 of the world's 14 peaks exceeding 8,000 meters. His achievements included a record-setting ascent of Pakistan's K2 within 24 hours. Gurung, who was 37, frequently participated in rescue operations for stranded tourists. He had departed Nepal three weeks prior for the Broad Peak expedition, a journey from which he would not return.

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There are 14 peaks in the world above 8,000 metres, eight of which are in Nepal. He had climbed all but two of them.