Nirmal Purja Dies In Avalanche: Celebrated Mountaineer Featured In Netflix Documentary ’14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible’ Was 43
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.
In short
- Mountaineer Nirmal Purja died in a Pakistan avalanche aged 43.
- He was among 10 people killed on Broad Peak.
- Purja completed all 14 highest peaks in six months.
Explained simply
Broad Peak is one of the world’s highest mountains, in Pakistan’s Karakoram range. Climbing at that altitude involves severe weather, thin air and the risk of avalanches.
Nirmal Purja was a Nepal-born mountaineer who later served in the British military and lived in Hampshire. In 2019, he climbed all 14 mountains higher than 8,000 metres in just over six months, a feat that brought him international attention and was documented in 14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible.
Purja’s career made him a prominent figure in high-altitude mountaineering. His achievements drew attention to how quickly climbers could attempt the world’s highest peaks, and to the dangers involved in such expeditions.
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