ISLAMABAD: In a historic and daring feat on one of the world’s most dangerous peaks, German alpinist David Göttler has completed a rare alpine-style ascent of Nanga Parbat and followed it with a high-altitude paragliding descent – a first from an altitude of 7,700 metres on the treacherous mountain known as the “Killer Mountain.”
After four failed attempts since 2013 – including two recent ones in 2023 and 2024 halted by poor conditions – Göttler finally summited the 8,126-meter giant Nanga Parbat- the world’s ninth-highest peak situated in Pakistan. Climbing via the formidable Rupal Face, the tallest cliff face on Earth, he was joined by fellow mountaineers Boris Langenstein and Tiphaine Duperier.
The trio began their ascent from the 3,600-metre base camp on June 21, carrying all their own gear without using supplemental oxygen or fixed ropes. Climbing in true alpine style, they relied on minimal gear – just a 50-metre rope, a few pitons, and camelots.
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Their route: the little-climbed and technically challenging Schell Route up the Rupal Face. Only eight successful ascents via this path have ever been recorded, and Duperier’s completion marks her as the second woman to do so.
“The summit itself was only part of the dream,” said Göttler. “We always aimed to do it in pure alpine style, with a small team and total self-sufficiency.”
But what set this ascent apart was how it ended: Göttler bid farewell to his partners at 7,700 metres and launched into a daring paragliding flight back to base camp – becoming the first known person to do so from such a high altitude on Nanga Parbat.
“The flight down was the icing on the cake – a unique experience,” he shared.
Known as the “Killer Mountain” for its deadly history and high fatality rate, Nanga Parbat has claimed the lives of numerous climbers over the decades. But for Göttler, it was a mountain that demanded patience and respect.
“I’ve always wanted to climb an eight-thousander in alpine style, off the beaten track. Sometimes, you have to be patient and invest many years in a dream – in the hope that it might come true.”
With this achievement, Göttler adds a seventh eight-thousander to his résumé, joining the elite ranks of mountaineers who are reshaping the boundaries of modern high-altitude climbing.
