Six Nepali mountain guides, including celebrated British-Nepali climber Nirmal "Nims" Purja, were killed in an avalanche on Pakistan's Broad Peak last week. Their deaths represent a devastating loss for Nepal's mountaineering community, as the group had collectively achieved feats once thought impossible, including summiting Everest dozens of times, scaling 8,000m peaks without supplemental oxygen, and climbing K2 in winter, elevating global recognition of Nepali guides who were previously regarded merely as aides.

Purja, 43, led the ten-member international expedition and was renowned for climbing the world's 14 highest peaks in just over six months. Fellow victims included Kili Pemba Sherpa, 46, who had just completed his own "Grand Slam" of all 14 eight-thousanders and helped achieve the first winter ascent of K2 in 2021; Pur Bahadur Gurung, 37, one of only 100 Nepali guides certified by the International Federation of Mountain Guides Association; Gyaljen Sherpa, known for climbing Kanchenjunga three times in one season; Nima Sherpa, 36; and Nawang Thindu Sherpa, one of Nepal's rising young guides.