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Conquering the death zone

Broad Peak sits in the Karakoram range and is one of the world's highest mountains. Above eight thousand metres, climbers enter the death zone where the air is too thin for human survival long-term. Nirmal Purja lost his life here after an avalanche struck, highlighting the extreme perils that modern mountaineers face even with vast experience.

Stories that explain this

Mountaineer Nirmal Purja dies in Pakistan avalanche, expedition company confirms

Related explainers

Why are avalanches so unpredictable? Where is Broad Peak located? Commercial high altitude guiding Who coordinates remote searches? What is the history of mountaineering guides? How jet streams form The Karakoram mountain range What makes Broad Peak dangerous?

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