Is the climate change is hurting mountain climbing in Pakistan?
Climate change is reshaping the very terrain that makes mountain climbing in Pakistan so extraordinary, and not always in ways that adventurers welcome.
Glacial Retreat & Instability: Glaciers in the Karakoram and Himalayas are melting faster, leading to unstable ice formations and crevasses that shift unpredictably. This makes traditional climbing routes more dangerous and less reliable.
Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs): Rising temperatures have created swollen glacial lakes that can burst suddenly, triggering flash floods and landslides. These events pose serious risks to climbers and local communities.
Unpredictable Weather: Climbers now face erratic weather patterns — sudden snowstorms, heatwaves, and rainfall — which disrupt expedition schedules and increase the risk of exposure.
Route Accessibility: Landslides and flooding damage trekking paths and access roads, making it harder to reach base camps or remote valleys.
Shorter Climbing Windows: Traditional climbing seasons are shrinking. The once-predictable summer window is now riddled with weather uncertainties, forcing climbers to adapt or cancel plans.
What’s being done? Experts and local communities are advocating for responsible tourism, better infrastructure, and climate-resilient planning. There’s also a push to revive traditional irrigation systems and promote sustainable livelihoods like yak husbandry and sea buckthorn cultivation in Gilgit-Baltistan.
Effect of climate change face by climbers in 2025.
How climate change and unpredictable conditions are reshaping high-altitude mountaineering in Pakistan — not just in theory, but in heartbreaking reality.
Chris Wright on Yukshin Garden Sar (7,530m): Injured during descent at 6,100m. His team lowered him to Camp 1, where he was airlifted to Skardu. The expedition was called off due to worsening weather.
Gasherbrum IV (GIV) – French Team: Charles Dubouloz and Symon Welfringer abandoned their climb on the West Face (Shining Wall) due to excessively dry conditions — a sign of glacial retreat and unstable terrain.
K2 – Iftikhar Sadpara: Tragically killed in an avalanche between Advanced Base Camp and Camp 1. His body was recovered and flown to Skardu. The incident involved foreign climbers and Nepali Sherpas
Broad Peak – Waldemar Kowalewski: Survived an avalanche with a broken leg at 6,600m. After days stranded, Sherpas rescued him and brought him to Base Camp. He was later airlifted to hospital
Nanga Parbat – Klára Kolouchová: The Czech climber died in a fall between Camp I and II. She had aborted her summit attempt due to health concerns and was descending when the accident occurred. Last year, she turned back at the Kinshofer Wall due to risky conditions
The common thread? Unstable snowpack, rockfall, and erratic weather — all symptoms of a warming climate. These mountains are no longer behaving like they used to, and climbers are paying the price.