GILGIT: Thirty-two climbers from various countries summited K2 (8,611m), the world’s second highest peak, while a Chinese mountaineer died after being hit by falling rocks while descending.

Karrar Haidri, vice president Alpine Club of Pakistan, said in statement that the Chinese mountaineer, Guan Jing, died on Tuesday night after she was hit by falling rocks while descending from K2.

The incident occurred on the Abruzzi Spur route between Camp I and Advanced Base Camp — a section notorious for frequent rock falls.

Guan reached the summit on Monday with a group of climbers before beginning her descent.

Chinese mountaineer dies after being hit by falling rocks

Recovery efforts for her body are ongoing, while other climbers who also summited K2 that day are now returning safely to the base camp.

In total, more than 30 climbers reached the top of K2 on Monday. Climbing Karakoram Range mountains this year became challenging for climbers as less snow, rockfalls and avalanche stopped climbers’ progress.

Earlier, 30 climbers from Elite Exped, Imagine Nepal, Seven Summit Treks and Alpinist Climber Expedition teams successfully summited K2 on Monday morning.

The joint team reached the summit of K2 include Tao Hu from China, Eduard Kubatov from Kyrgyz Republic, Gulnur Tumbat from the US, Zhang Qingliang, Li Na from China, Pasang Tenje Sherpa, Mingma Jangbu Sherpa, Pasang Sherpa, Sona Sherpa and Pasang Nurbu Sherpa from Nepal.

Fifteen climbers from Imagine Nepal reached the summit of K2, achieving a 100 per cent success rate this season.

In a statement, Imagine Nepal said summiting in August is rare as the climbing window is generally in July. It said the 2025 season faced significant challenges from the jet stream, with high winds limiting opportunities and forcing prolonged waits at the base camp.

Led by Mingma G, the Imagine Nepal K2 Expedition team departed Base Camp on Aug 5 and reached the summit on Monday.

The summiters included Mingma G from Nepal, Jangbu Sherpa from US, Pema Chhiri Sherpa, Aangdu Sherpa, Kami Sherpa, Lakpa Sherpa, Lakpa Tamang Sherpa, and Lhakpa Nuru Sherpa from Nepal, Sohail Sakhi from Pakistan, Liu Mihe, Dilixiati Ailikuti, Li Jiang, Guan Jing, and Hu Yinghong from China, Maria Alexandra Danila from Romania. Mingma G completed his sixth successful K2 summit.

Published in Dawn, August 14th, 2025