Local mountaineer Asif Bhatti, who was stranded high on the ninth tallest mountain in the world Nanga Parbat, has been rescued, the Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP) confirmed on Thursday.
Bhatti, who had been stranded at Camp-IV on Nanga Parbat after suffering from snow blindness and under threat of freezing to death, was brought down by a joint rescue operation mounted by Pakistani and Bolivian climbers.
Given the high altitude, helicopters could not fly up to rescue him, and a rescue team had to be put together.
However, the rescue effort was delayed due to inclement weather.
On Thursday, a rescue team comprising Bolivian climber, IFGMA Rescuer and Mountain Guide Hugo Ayavur, and Pakistanis Sajid Ali Sadpara and Naila Kiani, flew from Skardu to the Nanga Parbat to mount a rescue effort on an Army Aviation helicopter.
Later on Thursday evening, ACP's Secretary Karrar Haidri said that Asif Bhatti had safely arrived at base camp.
Apart from suffering snow blindness, Bhatti is said to have also suffered from frostbite to his limbs and was displaying symptoms of high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE).
He will now be taken to Skardu by an army chopper from Nanga Parbat Base Camp. After being provided with initial medical care, he will be taken to Islamabad for further medical care.
Haidri said that on Monday, Bhatti had been reported to have been blinded by the glare of the sun reflecting off the snow (snow blindness) and was stuck at Camp-IV at an altitude above 7,500 meters but below the death zone of 8,000 meters. He was attempting to climb to the top of the 8,126-meter mountain.
According to Haidri, a number of outfits were attempting the peak, and some of their members had conveyed the message that Asif was suffering from snow blindness.
He added that a helicopter could pick him up, but for that, he will first have to come down to around 6,000-metre to 6,500-metre.
Blinded by the snow, he would need help to climb down.
Asif, along with renowned Pakistani mountaineer Lt Col (R) Dr Jabbar Bhatti, Dr Naveed, Saad Muhammad and Faheem Pasha, had, departed for the expedition a few days back. "His other team members have not yet begun their final summit push," Haidri said.
Bhatti, who had been stranded at Camp-IV on Nanga Parbat after suffering from snow blindness and under threat of freezing to death, was brought down by a joint rescue operation mounted by Pakistani and Bolivian climbers.
Given the high altitude, helicopters could not fly up to rescue him, and a rescue team had to be put together.
However, the rescue effort was delayed due to inclement weather.
On Thursday, a rescue team comprising Bolivian climber, IFGMA Rescuer and Mountain Guide Hugo Ayavur, and Pakistanis Sajid Ali Sadpara and Naila Kiani, flew from Skardu to the Nanga Parbat to mount a rescue effort on an Army Aviation helicopter.
Later on Thursday evening, ACP's Secretary Karrar Haidri said that Asif Bhatti had safely arrived at base camp.
Apart from suffering snow blindness, Bhatti is said to have also suffered from frostbite to his limbs and was displaying symptoms of high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE).
He will now be taken to Skardu by an army chopper from Nanga Parbat Base Camp. After being provided with initial medical care, he will be taken to Islamabad for further medical care.
Haidri said that on Monday, Bhatti had been reported to have been blinded by the glare of the sun reflecting off the snow (snow blindness) and was stuck at Camp-IV at an altitude above 7,500 meters but below the death zone of 8,000 meters. He was attempting to climb to the top of the 8,126-meter mountain.
According to Haidri, a number of outfits were attempting the peak, and some of their members had conveyed the message that Asif was suffering from snow blindness.
He added that a helicopter could pick him up, but for that, he will first have to come down to around 6,000-metre to 6,500-metre.
Blinded by the snow, he would need help to climb down.
Asif, along with renowned Pakistani mountaineer Lt Col (R) Dr Jabbar Bhatti, Dr Naveed, Saad Muhammad and Faheem Pasha, had, departed for the expedition a few days back. "His other team members have not yet begun their final summit push," Haidri said.