Czech climber Klára Kolouchová, 46, has tragically died during an expedition on Pakistan’s Nanga Parbat, one of the world’s most dangerous peaks, renowned as “the killer mountain”, local officials confirmed on Thursday.
According to Diamer district authorities, Kolouchová fell between Camp 1 and Camp 2 in the early hours of the morning, around 4 a.m. local time. Her teammates, including her husband, confirmed her death after returning to base camp. Her body remains at the site of the fall, with recovery operations being planned.
Diamer Additional Deputy Commissioner Nizamuddin stated that rescue teams and high-altitude porters have been deployed, although extreme terrain is complicating efforts to pinpoint the exact location and retrieve her body.
Kolouchová, a trailblazing figure in mountaineering, was attempting to summit Nanga Parbat — the 8,125-meter “Killer Mountain” — as part of her goal to climb all 14 of the world’s 8,000-meter peaks. She had already earned international acclaim as the first Czech woman to summit both Mount Everest and K2.
Karrar Haidri, Vice President of the Alpine Club of Pakistan, expressed deep grief over her death, calling her an inspiration to climbers around the world.
“We are devastated by the loss of Klára Kolouchová, an extraordinary mountaineer who had conquered some of the world’s highest and most difficult peaks,” Haidri said. “Our thoughts are with her family, friends, and the entire global climbing community.”
Kolouchová arrived in Pakistan on June 15 with a seven-member expedition team and reached base camp two days later.
Nanga Parbat, known for its treacherous slopes and remote location, is considered the third most dangerous of the world’s 8,000-meter peaks, with a fatality rate of around 22%. Its south face, the Rupal Face, is the tallest mountain face on Earth, rising nearly 4,600 meters (15,090 feet), while the north Rakhiot Flank features a staggering 7,000-meter vertical gain.
Efforts to recover Kolouchová’s body are ongoing, with local authorities and the Alpine Club of Pakistan coordinating closely.
