Austrian mountaineer Wilhelm Stendhal, who came to Pakistan for the adventure of K-2, the second highest peak in the world, but left the adventure incomplete due to the death of the local porter Muhammad Hassan, he donated money to the children and mother of Muhammad Hassan. 170000 US dollars have been collected for the relief.
Porter Muhammad Hasan‘s accident occurred at the Bottleneck of K-2 at an altitude of 8200 meters where Muhammad Hasan died a few hours after falling into a snow gully.
After his death, Wilhelm Stendhal left the adventure unfinished and returned to his country, where he raised 170,000 US dollars for the financial assistance of Muhammad Hasan’s family in a campaign called “Fund Me for It”.
The caretaker minister for tourism, Wasi Shah, welcomed the Austrian mountaineer to his office. Speaking to the media on the occasion, the caretaker tourism minister has assured that the government of Pakistan will bear all the expenses of the family, widow, children and mother of Muhammad Hassan. will
He further said that the government will arrange for the education of Muhammad Hassan’s three children, a government job for his widow and medical treatment for his old mother. Wasi Shah said that although there is no general arrangement for porters, but since I took charge as the Minister of Tourism, PTDC has played an important role in establishing training centers with the support of Gilgit-Baltistan University.
He also said that earlier there was no insurance system to support the families of porters who were victims of accidents like Muhammad Hassan, but after several important meetings with the relevant authorities in Islamabad and Skardu, the government said that It has been agreed that 30 lakhs insurance should be given for porters, now efforts are being made to increase it to 50 lakhs.
The Caretaker Tourism Minister said that all this happened due to the sudden accidental death of Muhammad Hassan, but what impressed me was Wilhelm Stendhal, who, despite being a non-Pakistani, showed selfless dedication to Muhammad Hassan and his family. And working hard is commendable.
Caretaker Minister for Tourism Wasi Shah paid tribute to Wilhelm Stendhal on behalf of the Government of Pakistan and the world and said that his act is a perfect example of what can be achieved when people come together for a common goal. Do it.
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**Interview with Wilhelm Stendhal: An Austrian Mountaineer’s Journey of Adventure and Compassion**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Wilhelm. You recently faced a tragic situation while attempting to summit K-2. Can you share with us what happened to local porter Muhammad Hasan?
**Wilhelm Stendhal:** Thank you for having me. Yes, it was a devastating experience. As we were navigating the Bottleneck at around 8,200 meters, Muhammad Hasan fell into a snow gully. Despite the best efforts of our team to rescue him, he sadly passed away just hours later. It was a heart-wrenching moment that changed everything for me.
**Editor:** That must have been incredibly difficult. After this incident, you decided to return home. What influenced your decision to leave the expedition?
**Wilhelm Stendhal:** The loss of Muhammad Hasan weighed heavily on me. He was not just a porter; he was a dedicated and skilled climber who played an essential role in our expedition. In light of what happened, I felt it was only right to prioritize his family over my ambition to climb. I knew I couldn’t continue with such a heavy heart.
**Editor:** In a very meaningful gesture, you initiated a fundraising campaign after your return. Can you tell us more about that?
**Wilhelm Stendhal:** Yes, I started the campaign called “Fund Me for Muhammad’s Family” to support Hasan’s wife and children. The climbing community and many others responded tremendously, donating a total of $170,000. It has been overwhelming to see the love and support pour in from people all over the world. This fund will help ensure that his family is taken care of in light of their tragic loss.
**Editor:** That’s truly commendable. How do you think this experience has shifted your perspective on mountaineering and adventure?
**Wilhelm Stendhal:** This tragic incident changed my outlook on climbing. While the pursuit of adventure has its rewards, I’ve come to realize that the people involved, especially local porters and guides, are the heart of these expeditions. Their lives matter significantly, and their sacrifices can’t be overlooked. Moving forward, I aim to advocate for better safety and support for local climbers in high-altitude areas.
**Editor:** Thank you, Wilhelm, for sharing your heartfelt experience with us. Your efforts to honor Muhammad Hasan and support his family are truly inspiring. We wish you the best in your future endeavors.
**Wilhelm Stendhal:** Thank you for the opportunity to share. Let’s keep spreading awareness about the incredible individuals who support climbers in their adventures.
