German Olympic champion Laura Dahlmeier is missing after a rockfall incident in Pakistan’s Karakoram mountain range.
The search for German Olympic champion Laura Dahlmeier in Pakistan is hampered by severe weather, with strong winds making helicopter operations impossible. A climbing team has been deployed on the ground to continue the search for the missing athlete.
Dahlmeier and a companion were caught in a rockfall on Monday while climbing in the Karakoram mountain chain. The incident occurred at an altitude of approximately 5,700 meters as they were ascending Laila Peak in the Gilgit-Baltistan region, according to tour operator Mohamed Iqbal.
Dahlmeier’s climbing partner, Marina Eva, was rescued on Tuesday by a team of climbers and sherpas and safely brought to a camp. Rescue crews deployed by helicopter near where Dahlmeier and Eva were located found no signs of life at the site, an agency organizing expeditions in Pakistan reported.
The critical question remains: where is Laura Dahlmeier?
“She may have fallen into a crevasse,” Iqbal stated Wednesday morning. The search efforts are ongoing, but the challenging weather conditions are a significant obstacle. Instead of aerial support, a ground team of climbers is now actively searching for Dahlmeier.
“At least two American climbers and local sherpas will be deployed today to find Dahlmeier,” Iqbal confirmed. A local official also corroborated the situation to news agency AFP, noting the extreme difficulty of the terrain where the accident occurred.
The climbing partner reported that Dahlmeier was injured by the rockfall and subsequently separated from her. The pair had been attempting to scale the Laila Peak, a formidable mountain exceeding 6,000 meters, after completing a climb on another peak.
A Risky Endeavor
Pakistan’s northern region boasts numerous challenging peaks, including the renowned K2 and Nanga Parbat, both over 8,000 meters. These mountains attract hundreds of climbers globally each year. Accidents are unfortunately not uncommon during these high-altitude expeditions.
Dahlmeier, a certified mountain and ski guide, is known for her active involvement in mountain rescue services. She is considered a highly experienced and capable climber.
Distinguished Career
The 31-year-old athlete had been in the Karakoram region since late June, having successfully summited the Great Trango Tower (6,287 meters) earlier in the month. Dahlmeier concluded her competitive career with two Olympic gold medals and seven World Cup golds, accumulating 18 senior championship medals in total.
Her most remarkable championship performance was at the 2017 World Cup in Hochfilzen, where she secured five gold medals and one bronze.
