The tragic death of Pakistani porter Muhammad Hassan on K2, the world’s second-highest mountain, has ignited intense criticism. Hassan lost his life in the treacherous bottleneck traverse area on July 27th. Shockingly, around 70 climbers, including renowned mountaineers, either passed over his lifeless body or narrowly avoided it during their ascent and descent.
Renowned mountaineer Reinhold Messner voiced harsh criticism, asserting that commercialization has corroded the spirit of solidarity among climbers. He highlighted the worrisome trend of treating Himalayan climbs like vacation bookings, with Sherpas as guides, causing a loss of personal connection and a decline in willingness to aid those in dire situations.
Abu Zafar Sadiq, President of the Pakistan Alpine Club, expressed disappointment in the lack of assistance to the dying porter, emphasizing the difficult conditions on K2 that day and underscoring the need for someone to have come to the aid of the unfortunate porter.
Even experienced climbers like Wilhelm Steindl and a German cameraman reportedly remained unaware of the incident during their time on K2. Drone footage later exposed the scene, leading Steindl to acknowledge that climbers may have suffered from “tunnel vision” or perceived the situation differently. He noted that a rescue operation would likely have been initiated for paying customers from Western countries, hinting at potential disparities based on the climbers’ origins.
While Messner acknowledged the need for caution in such reports, the multiple descriptions aligning with the incident’s credibility are disconcerting. The failure to assist the dying porter raises concerns about the climbers’ sense of responsibility, empathy, and camaraderie, particularly within the framework of commercialized mountain expeditions. This tragic incident calls for deep introspection within the mountaineering community.