Tributes from the mountaineering community poured in for British-Nepali climber Nirmal Purja, 43, who died on Pakistan's Broad Peak last week while attempting to achieve two major climbing milestones.
Purja, 43, was trying to complete his second ascent of all 14 of the world's 8,000-meter peaks without supplemental oxygen while also working toward climbing all 14 peaks for a third time.
Known globally as "Nims Dai," Purja rose to prominence after leaving a military career that culminated in service with the British Royal Navy's elite Special Boat Service.
His breakthrough came in 2019 with Project Possible, when he climbed all 14 of the world's highest mountains in six months and six days, shattering the previous record of more than seven years. The feat was later chronicled in a Netflix documentary.
In 2021, Purja and Mingma Gyalje Sherpa led a 10-member all-Nepali team that became the first to summit K2 in winter, ending decades of failed attempts.
