Body of Chinese mountaineer recovered from K2
Chinese climber died of head injury during descent from K2; body recovered by Army Aviation and taken to mortuary of a Military Hospital in Skardu.
The body of Chinese mountaineer Guan Jing has been recovered from the slopes of Mount K2 and transported to the mortuary of a military hospital in Skardu on Saturday, according to officials involved in the operation.
Guan, 37, died on 12 August after being struck by falling rocks while descending from the summit of K2, the world’s second-highest mountain. Her death came just one day after she successfully summited the 8,611-meter mountain in Northen Pakistan, alongside her climbing group.
The recovery operation faced significant delays due to adverse weather conditions that initially grounded helicopter missions. A team of Nepali mountaineers had attempted to retrieve her body on foot before a Pakistan Army’s helicopter was eventually able to evacuate her remains from the Concordia region.
The incident occured on Abruzzi Spur, a route between Camp-I and the Advanced Base Camp. This is a section notorious for frequent rockfalls. Many climbers quit due to consistent rockfall this season.
The rescue team found her body about 150 meters above the Advanced Base Camp, at an altitude of approximately 5,400 meters.
Guan was an experienced mountaineer, remembered for her resilience and commitment to the sport.
Her cause of death has been confirmed as a head injury caused by falling rocks.
K2, known for its extreme technical difficulty and high fatality rate, has claimed the lives of many climbers over the decades.
Karrar Haidri, Senior Vice President of the Alpine Club of Pakistan, confirmed the successful recovery and expressed condolences on behalf of the mountaineering community.
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Guan Jing. Her determination and spirit will be remembered by climbers around the world. Our thoughts are with her family and loved ones,” Haidri said.
He said the Chinese embassy and relevant authorities have been notified. Repatriation procedures are expected to follow in the coming days.
