Pakistan Scottish ‘close to death’ after caught in avalanche Mountaineer won the ‘Pulle d’O’, the highest accolade in alpine climbing and mountaineering.
The Pulé deux, which translates to ‘golden ice axe’ in French, is as important as the Oscar in mountaineering.
The honor was awarded to 27-year-old Tim Miller from Glasgow and 54-year-old British climber Paul Ramsden for scaling the previously unclimbed and unnamed peak in Nepal. Now in Nepal this peak is named as ‘Jugal Spire’.
British mountaineers had climbed the 21,532-foot peak by making a new route in ‘alpine style’. Alpine style is the term used for attempting to summit without oxygen, fixed ropes or the aid of a sherpa (porter).
Tim Miller and Paul Ramsden encountered extreme vertical slopes of soft snow, frozen ice and granite while climbing the summit near Kathmandu in April last year.
According to the international organization of mountaineers, ‘Explorer Web’, Tim Miller said that after several flights from the United States, uneven road travel and six days of trekking, he reached the base camp at the foot of the valley, and upon arrival he found the original The problem is understood.
According to him: ‘There was no obvious route to the summit as the mountain was quite complex due to its features, including sharp edges and rocky ridges, glaciers and snow-capped peaks.’
“We tried every option until we found a suitable ascent and a possible descent,” Miller said. Only then we decided to climb this peak.’
They moved quickly up the first half of the mountain, skipping some difficult patches of soft snow and frozen hard snow.
But about three-quarters of the way there was a vertical rock barrier from which there was no clear way out. This was definitely the root of the problem for climbing.
They reached the summit on the fourth day but the weather turned bad and instead of descending on the same day, they decided to camp just below the summit.
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On the fifth day they started the landing. The presence of more fresh snow since the previous afternoon added to their difficulties. This situation made the descent even more dangerous and troublesome due to the increased risk of avalanches on most of the slope.
Miller said: ‘We went down the side of a cliff so there was no rope support. Most of it needed to go down like that. This meant that our pace slowed down further. Finally it took two more days. It wasn’t the hardest part but we were both tired so mentally it seemed to be the hardest part.’
After 37 pitches he reached the summit, descended and named the route ‘The Phantom Line’ because of the changing feature.
He said he suffered from frostbite but was very excited after reaching the peak.
The breakthrough came nearly five years after Tim Miller had a close-up look at death after being caught in a deadly avalanche on Mount Altar Sar in the Karakoram Range in Pakistan.
He was camping with a group of mountaineers in Pakistan at an altitude of 19,300 feet when an avalanche hit them and they were buried under the snow along with their tent.
They told the BBC that they managed to climb up by chewing through the fabric of the tent, while some members of the group never made it out.
He said he was able to get his friend Bruce Normand out but lost another friend, Christian Huber, forever.
The two climbers hung for two days between life and death in their broken tent as they waited for the weather to return to normal for rescue services from Pakistan to evacuate them by helicopters.
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#Award #Death #Mountaineer #Pakistan
2024-09-06 20:28:21
What were the circumstances surrounding Tim Miller’s near-fatal avalanche experience in Pakistan’s Karakoram Range?
Table of Contents
Pakistan’s Treacherous Mountains: A Scottish Mountaineer’s Close Call with Death and Triumph
Pakistan, known for its majestic mountain ranges, has been a favorite among mountaineers and trekkers. However, the country’s rugged terrain and unpredictable weather conditions can be deadly, as Scottish mountaineer Tim Miller experienced firsthand. Miller, who recently won the prestigious Pulé d’O award for scaling an unnamed peak in Nepal, had a close call with death in Pakistan just five years ago.
Avalanche on Mount Altar Sar
In 2019, Miller was camping with a group of mountaineers in Pakistan’s Karakoram Range at an altitude of 19,300 feet. An avalanche hit them, and they were buried under the snow along with their tent. Miller and his group managed to climb out by chewing through the fabric of the tent, but sadly, not everyone made it out alive. He lost his friend, Christian Huber, forever. Miller and his friend Bruce Normand were trapped for two days, hanging between life and death in their broken tent as they waited for rescue.
Pakistan’s Avalanche Risks
Pakistan is prone to avalanches, which can be deadly. According to a 2020 report, at least 100 people were killed, and 90 injured in avalanches and bad weather in Pakistan [[3]]. More recently, in May 2023, an avalanche in northern Pakistan’s Shounter Pass killed 11 people from a nomadic tribe, including a four-year-old boy [[1]][[2]].
The Pulé d’O Award and the Nepal Expedition
Miller’s recent achievement, winning the Pulé d’O award, is a testament to his determination and resilience. The Pulé d’O, also known as the “golden ice axe,” is considered the highest accolade in alpine climbing and mountaineering. Miller, along with British climber Paul Ramsden, was awarded the honor for scaling the previously unclimbed and unnamed peak in Nepal, now named “Jugal Spire.” They climbed the 21,532-foot peak in “alpine style,” without oxygen, fixed ropes, or the aid of a sherpa.
Miller’s account of the expedition is a thrilling story of adventure and perseverance. The duo encountered extreme vertical slopes of soft snow, frozen ice, and granite while climbing the summit near Kathmandu in April last year. They had to navigate through difficult patches of soft snow and frozen hard snow, and finally reached the summit on the fourth day. However, bad weather forced them to camp just below the summit, and they began their descent on the fifth day, facing increased risks of avalanches on most of the slope.
Conclusion
Pakistan’s mountains may be treacherous, but they also offer a unique adventure experience for thrill-seekers. Tim Miller’s story is a testament to the human spirit’s ability to overcome adversity and push boundaries. While avalanches remain a risk in Pakistan, Miller’s triumph is an inspiration to mountaineers and trekkers around the world.
References:
[[1]]https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-65735284
[[2]]https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/5/27/at-least-11-killed-in-pakistan-avalanche
[[3]]https://www.20minutes.fr/monde/2696419-20200116-pakistan-avalanches-intemperies-fait-moins-cent-morts
Avalanche in Pakistan 2024
Avalanches in Pakistan: The Deadly Risks Faced by Mountaineers
Pakistan, a country known for its breathtaking mountain ranges, has been a hotspot for mountaineers and adventure seekers. However, the temptation of conquering these towering peaks comes with a significant risk: avalanches. In recent years, several climbers have lost their lives in Pakistan due to avalanches, highlighting the importance of awareness and preparedness in the face of this deadly natural phenomenon.
Recent Incidents
Just last year, a renowned Scottish climber, Rick Allen, died in an avalanche while attempting to scale K2, the world’s second-highest mountain peak in northern Pakistan [[2]]. This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks involved in mountaineering in Pakistan.
In another incident, an Austrian mountaineer was killed and two others injured after their tent was hit by an avalanche in northern Pakistan [[1]]. This incident highlights the unpredictability of avalanches and the need for climbers to be always on alert.
The Risks of Avalanche
Avalanches can occur without warning, and even experienced climbers can fall victim to them. The risk of avalanches is exacerbated by factors such as heavy snowfall, wind, and steep slopes. Climbers must be aware of these risks and take necessary precautions to mitigate them.
The Importance of Preparedness
Tim Miller, a Scottish mountaineer, had a close call with death after being caught in a deadly avalanche on Mount Altar Sar in the Karakoram Range in Pakistan. However, his experience highlights the importance of preparation and quick thinking in the face of an avalanche. Miller’s brush with death came nearly five years before he won the prestigious Pulé d’O, the highest accolade in alpine climbing and mountaineering, for scaling a previously unclimbed peak in Nepal.
The Pulé d’O: A Testament to Mountaineering Excellence
The Pulé d’O, also known as the “golden ice axe,” is the highest honor in mountaineering, equivalent to the Oscar in the film industry. Tim Miller and Paul Ramsden, a British climber, were awarded the Pulé d’O for their remarkable feat of scaling a previously unclimbed peak in Nepal, known as Jugal Spire. Their achievement is a testament to the skill, determination, and courage required to conquer the world’s most formidable mountain ranges.
Conclusion
Pakistan’s mountain ranges offer some of the most breathtaking experiences for mountaineers, but they also come with significant risks, including avalanches. Climbers must be aware of these risks and take necessary precautions to mitigate them. The stories of Tim Miller and Rick Allen serve as a reminder of the importance of preparedness and quick thinking in the face of an avalanche. As Pakistan continues to attract adventure seekers from around the world, it is crucial to prioritize safety and awareness to minimize the risks associated with mountaineering in the country.
