Nanga Parbat is one such mountain that makes climbers tremble. Yes, you heard that right. Not many people have succeeded in their expedition to the summit of Nanga Parbat. It is one of the most dangerous mountains among the 8000-ers. And only the most experienced and lucky mountaineers have reached the peak of this mountain so far. This peak is known as the third most dangerous mountain to climb in the world. However, there are a lot more things to keep in mind before one tries to ascend this peak.
Nanga Parbat stands for “naked mountain.” One can simply bring out the true meaning of this name from its wild nature and bareness. The rural conditions and bad weather conditions as one ascends the peak make Nanga Parbat all the more dangerous.
In this article, we will discuss why Nanga Parbat is so dangerous. Stay tuned to learn more about this reckless mountain.
Why is Nanga Parbat so dangerous?
The 8,126-meter (26,660-foot) is located in Pakistan. It is one of the most fearsome mountains not just in South Asia but worldwide. The mountain gets its name “Killer Mountain” from its fatality rate. There have not yet been enough people who have successfully expedited to the top of Nanga Parbat. This mountain is too ruthless to be real for a lot of mountaineers. Hundreds of people have failed in attempting to reach its peak. Likewise, only a few hundred people have attempted and succeeded in summiting Nanga Parbat, unlike many other mountains among the 8000-ers.
Besides being called the Killer Mountain, Nanga Parbat has also been named “King of the Mountains.” According to mountaineer David Kotter, even summers are not favorable for the mount climbers to ascend the peak of Nanga Parbat. The changing weather condition, along with a very high likelihood of avalanches, glaciers, and ice falls, have been the reason for the death of about 60 mountaineers to this day. The fatality rate, in the same way, has reached above 20% now.
Moreover, before one decides to visit the mountain, one must remember that Nanga Parbat is extremely steep in its appearance. Hence, when climbers travel to the peak, they have to go through many difficulties and absurd climate and geographical conditions before they succeed.
This is why Nanga Parbat is so dangerous and not for the faint-hearted or beginners.
Nanga Parbat Tragedy
Nanga Parbat has been the death of many mountain climbers. Mountaineers who have little to no knowledge about this mountain must always keep track of all the incidents that have taken place at this summit.
In 1934, a tragic incident occurred in the lives of a team led by Alfred Drexel. The hopes of summiting the peak ended with ten deaths and an unsuccessful expedition. This is one of the most heartwrenching accidents that marks the dangers of being in Nanga Parbat.
This is not all for the deaths that were the result of ascending the Nanga Parbat. The mountain has taken the lives of many reaching around 60 deaths.
Nanga Parbat in Himalayan Region
While there have been tragedies in the Karakoram range of Pakistan, where many mountains are located, Nanga Parbat in the Himalayan Region should not be underestimated either. With the beauty of the Himalayas also comes recklessness and extreme weather conditions.
Mountaineers cannot yet consider the best time to visit the peak. Unlike many other mountains, which are best expedited during summertime, Nanga Parbat is difficult to climb even during summer. Moreover, you will experience a lot of difficulty training yourself for the harshness of the peak. The snow-clad mountains are wilder during the winter times. Avalanches and ice fall in the area are inevitable.
Post-monsoon season, there still won’t be a sense of security in the Himalayan region of Nanga Parbat as temperatures are not as stable, and the weather is dangerous and deadly at the same time. However, mountaineers tend to ascend the Nanga Parbat during June or July, most of the time, which falls during summer.
First ascent on this day, 1953.07.03; Nanga Parbat (8125 m) by Austrian climber Hermann Buhl, a member of a German-Austrian team via the Rakhiot Flank (East Ridge). Info: https://t.co/14I202Odra. Photo: https://t.co/Tk1GzqHtRe. pic.twitter.com/RUV17ToHMO
— Everest Today (@EverestToday) July 3, 2021
Diamir, otherwise known as Nanga Parbat, has been called the most difficult mountain to climb in the world. And this label has been given for a good reason. Like any other mountain above 8000 meters, Nanga Parbat is extremely difficult to climb. The peak stands tall at the height of 26,660 feet (8,126 meters), which is the second-highest peak in Pakistan after Mount K2.
Nanga Parbat is located in the western Himalayas 17 miles (27 km) west-southwest of Astor, in the Pakistani-administered sector of the Kashmir region.
Almost all 8000-ers have a specific route or routes from which mountaineers tend to complete their journeys or expeditions. However, Nanga Parbat does not have a specific route. So it is always a challenge to choose the right route to summit the peak.
Furthermore, the faces of this mountain are wild and complex, making it prone to avalanches and unavoidable climber fatalities.
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