British-Nepali mountaineer Nirmal Purja, known for the Netflix documentary 14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible, has died in an avalanche on Broad Peak in Pakistan. His death is significant because Purja was widely regarded as one of mountaineering’s leading figures, having challenged perceptions of what was achievable at extreme altitude.

Purja, 43, was among 10 people killed in the avalanche on 30 July, according to his company, Elite Expeditions. Born in Nepal, he served in the British military for 16 years, received an MBE in 2018, and in 2019 climbed all 14 of the world’s highest peaks in just over six months. He lived in Hampshire and is survived by his wife and three-year-old daughter.