Tributes have poured in from a Swindon group to a former British Army and Royal Marines soldier confirmed dead in a Pakistan avalanche.
Nepalese mountaineer Nirmal Purja was leading an expedition of 10 climbers on Broad Peak, the world’s 12th highest mountain, when the avalanche struck at about midday on Thursday (July 30). Elite Exped, the company co-founded by Mr Purja, confirmed that he died in the avalanche.
Mr Purja rose to prominence in 2019 when he climbed all 14 of the world’s mountains with peaks above 8,000 metres in 189 days – smashing the previous record by more than seven years. The challenge was the focus of a Netflix documentary called 14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible.
On Saturday, August 1, Swindon Paint Fest paid tribute on Facebook, noting a mural painted by Martin Travers for Swindon Paint Fest 2022 at 47-48 Bridge Street. The post said the mural 'honours an extraordinary mountaineer whose courage, resilience and determination inspire millions around the world.'
Elite Exped confirmed that other members of the expedition also died, including climbing partners Pur Bahadur Gurung (Yukta) and Nima Sherpa. Tributes also came from British adventurer Bear Grylls and the Prince of Wales, who said he was 'truly saddened' by the deaths.
Source: swindonadvertiser.co.uk
