‘Your legacy will live forever’: Nepal mourns climber Nirmal Purja

Tributes are pouring out across Nepal after an avalanche killed all 10 members of an expedition on Pakistan’s Broad Peak, six of whom were Nepalese.

Among them was Nirmal Purja, also known as Nims, a British-Nepali climber most known for climbing the world’s 14 tallest peaks in just over six months.

His death has sent shockwaves through the global mountaineering community and through Nepal, where he is a celebrated figure for giving a spotlight to Nepali climbing guides.

Nepal’s Prime Minister Balendra Shah was among those who paid tribute, saying his “history of courage, dedication and contribution will always remain inspiring”.

In a moving tribute on Facebook, Purja’s brother Kamal wrote: “I feel as though I have lost my whole world. My brother was not only my younger brother – he was my heart.”

“Although our hearts are broken, we are incredibly proud of you. Your legacy will live forever,” he added.

At the Small Heaven School in Chitwan district, near Kathmandu, which Purja had once attended, students and staff lit candles and mourned his death.

Sarbagya Paudel, one of the students at the vigil, said Purja’s “bravery has set a great example for our school. Not only has he made our school proud, but he has also brought pride to Nepal”.

Purja is still fondly remembered by those who had known him from his schooling days. Shailendra Baral, his school hostel supervisor, told AFP that as a young boy Purja had been “fearless and committed to achieving something”.

“He was honest and an obedient student, which made us happy. We found courage in him even when he was a child.”

Bahadur Panta, Purja’s school friend, said he had prayed for the mountaineer through “sleepless nights” after news broke of his disappearance.

“It was not only me and my friends. I think people all over the world who knew him… prayed for him. But it was his fate, no one could avoid it,” he told AFP.

Social media was also awash with tributes to Purja, with many saying that Nepal was in mourning and that the country had lost a “legend” and “many great climbers”.

“Their legacy will live on,” said one comment.

Purja was catapulted into international stardom after his journey was documented in a 2021 Netflix documentary.