An investigation into the tragic death of a Pakistani porter, Mohammed Hassan, near the peak of K2 has been initiated, following allegations of climbers overlooking his gravely injured state in their eagerness to reach the summit.
Event Details
- Date of Incident: July 27
- Location: K2, specifically a dangerous area known as the bottleneck, which is regarded as the world’s most treacherous mountain terrain.
The Accusations
On the day in question, Norwegian climber Kristin Harila and her Sherpa guide, Tenjin, achieved a record by becoming the world’s fastest climbers, scaling the globe’s 14 highest peaks in a mere 92 days. However, their feat was overshadowed by allegations surrounding the events of that day.
Austrian Wilhelm Steindl and German Philip Flaemig, two climbers who had decided against their ascent due to adverse weather, later reconstructed the day’s events by analyzing drone footage. This footage allegedly depicted numerous climbers, including Harila and her team, walking past the severely injured Hassan without aiding him. Steindl commented on the footage, pointing out a single individual desperately trying to warm Hassan. This person was later identified as a friend of Hassan’s, also a Pakistani high-altitude porter.
Furthermore, Steindl highlighted a potential double standard in mountaineering, noting that if a Westerner had been in Hassan’s position, everyone would have undoubtedly been mobilized to assist.
Kristin Harila defended her actions in an Instagram post, expressing her frustration over the blame game and emphasizing that no one was directly at fault. According to Harila, after Hassan’s fall, he dangled from a rope in the bottleneck area, and it took about an hour for her team to get him back onto the trail. Subsequently, she and a team member decided to pursue the summit while another remained with Hassan, providing him with warm water and sharing his own oxygen.
Additional Insights
- Mohammed Hassan: A 27-year-old father of three, he hailed from the village of Tisar. Friends and neighbors in his village reminisced about his aspirations to provide a better future for his children.
- Equipment Discrepancy: Queries arose regarding Hassan’s gear. Harila noted that he lacked a down suit, gloves, and oxygen. Anwar Syed, head of the Lela Peak Expedition, clarified that they do pay porters for gear, and Hassan received the agreed amount. However, Philip Flaemig alleged that Hassan was ill-prepared for high-altitude conditions, speculating that he was unqualified for the role of a high-altitude porter.
The Investigation
The Pakistan Alpine Club’s secretary, Karrar Haidri, announced the investigation, stating that it is under the purview of officials in the Gilgit-Baltistan region. They aim to shed light on the exact events leading up to Hassan’s demise, which occurred approximately 150 meters below K2’s summit. Due to the treacherous conditions of the bottleneck, Anwar Syed confirmed that it would be infeasible to retrieve Hassan’s body.
Community Support
To support Hassan’s grieving family, Wilhelm Steindl initiated a crowdfunding campaign, quickly surpassing its target by amassing nearly 122,000 euros in donations. Steindl’s visit to the family revealed their pain and the dreams Hassan had for his children’s education and future.
Conclusion
While the controversy surrounding Mohammed Hassan’s tragic death continues, the mountaineering community and the broader public await the findings of the ongoing investigation, hoping for clarity and justice.
