Mingma David Sherpa calls off 7th attempt on K2
Delayed rope fixing and deteriorating weather conditions cut short Mingma David’s record attempt, as other climbers wait anxiously at base camp
Record-holding climber Mingma David Sherpa has decided to abandon his seventh attempt to summit Mount K2 (8,611m) this season, citing delayed rope-fixing progress and deteriorating mountain conditions.
“I am returning home today,” Mingma David told Everest Chronicle from K2 Base Camp.
Despite high hopes earlier in the season and completing an acclimatization rotation up to Camp I, Mingma saw no signs of improvement in weather upon his return to base camp. Many climbers remain grounded there, anxiously waiting for a safe climbing window.
Mingma David, who holds the record for the most successful ascents of K2, including a historic winter summit, was aiming to break his own record with a seventh climb.
This summer, the Karakoram region has experienced one of its driest seasons on record, with rising temperatures accelerating glacier melt. Reports of dry flash floods have emerged from the Gilgit-Baltistan region.
In a previous briefing with Everest Chronicle, Mingma raised concerns over the unusually dry conditions and high winds, which have triggered frequent rockfalls. Light snowfall in mid-July further heightened the avalanche risk. The rope-fixing team, responsible for securing the route for climbers, was struggling to make progress beyond Camp II (6,700m).
Despite these challenges, Mingma remained optimistic until recently, hoping that a combined team of Sherpa climbers from multiple expeditions would complete the rope work in time. However, as the days passed and the summit window narrowed, he ultimately decided to call off his climb.
According to Sukhawat Hussain, Managing Director of Summit Karakoram, the rope has been fixed up to 7,200m as of this week.
Mingma Gyalje Sherpa also confirmed via Instagram, “We fixed the rope to 7,200m, crossing the rocky section below Camp III. The next move will be the summit push on K2, depending on weather conditions.”
Still, for climbers relying on supplemental oxygen, a summit attempt remains unlikely without rope fixing up to Camp IV (around 7,800m) and proper camp setup. “The chances of summits on both K2 and Broad Peak are growing slim,” Sukhawat remarked.
On Broad Peak, the rope has been fixed up to Camp III, but the team has since returned to base camp due to conditions.
Meanwhile, expeditions on Mount Gasherbrum II are still ongoing. Sukhawat reported that his team is currently at Camp III and, weather permitting, aims for a summit push on Sunday.
