Heartbreaking post Netflix star Nirmal Purja made before going missing in avalanche
Renowned mountaineer Nirmal 'Nims' Purja shared a poignant post about 'pushing his limits' before he went missing in an avalanche on one of the world's tallest mountains.
The 43-year-old, who previously served in the British special forces, said he wished for 'nothing but safe passage up and back down' before beginning the trek up Broad Peak in northern Pakistan.
The British-Nepali climber is among the six members of the group who are still to be accounted for in wake of the incident which has already claimed the lives of four people.
Purja was leading a team of nine climbers up the 8,051m mountain this week, but communication was lost on Thursday (30 July) - which is when the deadly avalanche hit.
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The group was made up of six Nepali climbers, one American, one Pakistani, one Omani and one Chinese national.
Officials in Pakistan announced that four bodies have been recovered from Broad Peak.
The Alpine Club of Pakistan then identified two of the deceased as Nadhira Ahmed Abdullah Al Harthy, from Oman, and Pur Bahadur Gurung who hails from Nepal.
Extensive search efforts have persisted for the missing six, although the BBC reported that operations have been suspended for the day due to volatile weather conditions.
Purja, who was awarded an MBE in 2018 and holds a string of records for his daring feats, has still not been located.
He was the subject of a thrilling Netflix documentary in 2021 that was titled 14 Peaks: Nothing is Impossible, which followed his epic efforts to climb all 14 eight-thousander peaks in under seven months.
The mountaineer previously served in the British Army as well as the Royal Navy's special forces unit SBS, before deciding to concentrate on his extraordinary adventures full-time.
In his final social media post before he began the ascent up Broad Peak, Purja revealed that he climbing the mountain was not actually a part of his original plan, as he had initially intended to head up Gasherbrum II instead.
Beginning with the words 'the mission shifts, the compass holds', he wrote: "This was never the plan. Initially, the plan was to climb just G2. But just before setting off for Pakistan, I ran the numbers on my 8000m summits.
"That’s when it hit me: if I tick off Broad Peak whilst I’m here , only one remains 'Cho Oyu'. Then I become the FIRST person in history to climb all 14 eight-thousanders twice. Without oxygen.
"This wasn’t planned. The Hattrick project was the focus because it carried a bigger mission. But opportunities don’t scream: they whisper to those already working in silence."
Offering some insight into his mountaineering mindset, he explained that he has 'never competed with anyone else' during any expedition he has been on.
'Pushing my own limits'
"My only battle was against the man I was yesterday," Purja continued. "Every single day, pushing my own limits. Because the moment you look sideways: at what others are doing, saying, achieving: you drift off your compass.
"Your heading is YOURS. Guard it fiercely. They criticised me when I climbed the 14 without O’s during Project Possible.
"If you haven’t seen what that took, watch 14 Peaks on Netflix. That film is the unfiltered truth.
"I was there doing multiple rescues of climbers left behind by other expeditions, raising the funds myself, leading from the front, fixing our own lines, dealing with the Shishapangma permit with China, being at hospitals for my mum’s operation and so much more. And now? Now I’m heading for the double without oxygen: triple in total. The noise hasn’t stopped. I just stopped listening."
Purja then addressed people who 'still doubt' his abilities, adding: "I already climbed all 5 of Pakistan’s 8000ers in just 26 days. Leading. Guiding. Without oxygen.
"Breaking the records of those who broke mine with oxygen. The receipts are there.
"Broad Peak, I ask for nothing but safe passage up and back down. I take zero mountains for granted. Not one. The moment my foot leaves basecamp, it’s 100%. Always has been. Always will be.
"This one is dedicated to everyone who carried me here. Supporters. Critics. All of you. Without both sides, there is no fire. So thank you genuinely.
"My purpose has never been about me. It’s about what I represent. It’s about showing YOU that your own mountains - whatever they are - are climbable."
Topics: Netflix, World News, Environment
Olivia Burke