A tragic rockfall has claimed the life of Chinese mountaineer Guan Jing during her descent from K2, the world’s second-tallest mountain, officials said.
Guan had summited K2 on Monday along with roughly 30 other climbers. She was descending via the Abruzzi Spur — a steep, rocky route known for its hazards — when falling rocks struck her between Camp I and Advanced Base Camp on Tuesday night.
Shigar district’s Deputy Commissioner Arif Ahmad said an army aviation team is on standby to recover her body, but poor weather has delayed operations.
The Alpine Club of Pakistan confirmed that Guan’s death is the fourth recorded casualty of this year’s summer climbing season.
Standing 8,611 metres tall on the Pakistan–China border, K2 is famed for its difficulty and high risk. While it is 238 metres shorter than Everest, its sheer slopes, thin air, and unpredictable rock and ice falls make it one of the most dangerous peaks to climb.