SKARDU – Ali Sadpara, a world-class mountaineer was representing Pakistan in the K2 expedition at his own expense as he had not been sponsored by anyone, said renowned climber Nazir Sabir, who had mistakenly said that Sadpara’s role in the K2 expedition was that of a porter.
Sabir apologised for his wrong choice of words during an interview with a youtuber. He said Sadpara and he were close friends and had summitted Nanga Parbat together several times. He added that Sadpara had not received any sponsorship from the government or from anyone else.
Mohammad Ali Sadpara remained the only Pakistani to have climbed 8 of the world’s 14 highest mountains. He also holds the record for the first ever winter ascent of the world’s ninth highest peak, Nanga Parbat. He will be remembered as a versatile climber, and a national hero in Pakistan.
Ali Sadpara went missing along with Iceland’s John Snorri and Chile’s Juan Pablo Mohr while returning from their successful climb of K2, a feat that they accomplished without oxygen supply. K2 is the world’s second highest peak at 8,611m (28,251 ft) and also reputedly the deadliest.
On Friday 5th February, donned in full protective gear to protect from a treacherous mix of strong winds and stinging snow, he went missing along with Iceland’s John Snorri and Chile’s Juan Pablo Mohr in an attempt to climb K2, the world’s second highest peak at 8,611m (28,251 ft) and also reputedly the deadliest.
His son Sajid was also a member of the team. Spirits were high as the father and son duo attempted to summit K2 without oxygen, a feat never done before in winter. But Sajid felt sick and had to turn back some 300 meters from the top, a spot known as the Bottleneck or the ‘death zone’.
Soon after news circulated of the team gone missing, he helped military-led rescue teams scour the mountain for signs of his father and the other two men. Yet, Sajid doesn’t hold out much hope any longer.
‘Savage Mountain’ – Ali Sadpara, other climbers missing amid K2winter2021 ascent
