Nanga Parbat
Three European mountaineers have etched their names into the annals of high-altitude climbing history by accomplishing an unprecedented alpine-style ascent and descent on Nanga Parbat, Pakistan’s formidable “Killer Mountain.”
The team, composed of German climber David Göttler and French athletes Tiphaine Duperier and Boris Langenstein, reached the summit of the 8,126-meter peak between June 21 and 24 via the technically demanding Schell Route on the mountain’s treacherous Rupal Face.
Beginning their expedition from base camp at around 3,600 meters, the trio followed a pure alpine style—eschewing the support of fixed ropes, supplemental oxygen, or high-altitude porters. Their swift and self-contained climb to the summit reflected a modern ethic of minimalist mountaineering, but it was their descent that would prove even more extraordinary.
David Göttler, 47, a veteran German alpinist with previous ascents on Everest and other Himalayan giants, had planned to paraglide directly from Nanga Parbat’s summit. However, strong summit winds forced a change in plan. Instead, he launched from an altitude of 7,700 meters—still one of the highest ever paragliding takeoffs—and glided down safely to base camp in just 30 minutes.
This marked the first known paragliding descent from such an altitude on Nanga Parbat. German mountain guide and paragliding instructor Michael Beek celebrated the feat, calling it a “historic first” and commending Göttler’s precision and courage.
Meanwhile, Tiphaine Duperier and Boris Langenstein also made history with the mountain’s first recorded ski descent from the summit. After spending the night at 7,625 meters, the French duo began their daring descent, skiing down the immense 4,600-meter Rupal Face—a vertical drop that is one of the tallest on Earth.
Over the course of three days, they navigated extreme terrain, combining skiing and technical down-climbing to safely return to base camp.
Naiknaam Karim, CEO of Adventure Tours Pakistan, confirmed the successful expedition and praised the climbers’ accomplishments, stating that their efforts showcased not only skill and endurance but also innovation in modern mountaineering.
This daring alpine-style ascent and multifaceted descent has now set a new benchmark in Himalayan climbing, reinforcing Nanga Parbat’s reputation not only as one of the deadliest peaks, but also as a proving ground for pioneering alpinists pushing the limits of possibility.
