American climber Sarah Mallory Geis’ body recovered from Broad Peak by local volunteers three weeks after deadly avalanche killed all ten climbers including Nirmal Purja; one remains missing.
Webdesk-Madhia Bhatti
The Recovery
Local volunteer rescuers in Gilgit-Baltistan have recovered the body of American climber Sarah Mallory Geis from the slopes of Broad Peak. The Alpine Club of Pakistan confirmed the find. Her remains are being moved to Base Camp for later transfer to her family.
Background of the Tragedy
On July 30, 2026, a massive avalanche struck a 10-member international expedition between Camp 2 and Camp 3 at around 6,600 metres on Broad Peak, the world’s 12th-highest mountain in the Karakoram range. All ten climbers died. Geis, 39, from San Antonio Texas, was on her first 8,000-metre attempt. She had closed her Pilates studio earlier that year to pursue high-altitude mountaineering full-time.
The Team and Victims
The group included renowned Nepali-British mountaineer Nirmal Purja (Nimsdai) Pakistani guide Sohail Sakhi (who was guiding Geis) Omani climber Nadhira Al Harthy, Chinese climber Wang Zhong, and several experienced Nepali Sherpas including Nawang Thendu Sherpa. Contact with Base Camp was lost after the slide.
Challenging Recovery Efforts
Nepali and Pakistani teams, supported by drones and military helicopters worked for weeks in dangerous conditions. Multiple secondary avalanches complicated the work. Rescuers recovered most bodies, including those of Purja and others, and airlifted them to Skardu. Sakhis body was earlier found by local villagers near Advanced Base Camp. Geis’ full recovery came later as melting snow exposed remains.
What Remains on the Mountain
Only the body of Nepali climber Nawang Thendu Sherpa is still on Broad Peak. It lies in a highly avalanche-prone section above 6,000 metres that proved unreachable this season. Officials say recovery may be attempted next summer if conditions allow.
Wider Context
The incident ranks among Pakistans deadliest recent mountaineering disasters. Rising temperatures helped reveal some buried remains lower on the mountain. The Alpine Club of Pakistan and local volunteers played key roles in the final stages of the operation. Geis’ body will now complete formal identification and repatriation processes.
