Ali Sadpara – A Jewel In Pakistan’s Mountaineering Crown

It is indeed a pity that Pakistan only remembers its heroes in their time of need. We have often only remembered them after they have passed. However, another way to look at it would be that Pakistanis come to the aid of their heroes when it is needed. We do what we can with the resources we have often praying for a miracle. Ali Sadpara had gone missing for perhaps only a few hours when the local social media became flooded with concern. The question on everyone’s mind? Where is our national hero?

Ali Sadpara Update

The latest update on Ali Sadpara is that he along with Chile’s Juan Pablo Mohr and Iceland’s John Snorri Sigurjónsson have been declared dead, unfortunately. The unforgiving north of Pakistan was not kind enough after all to the brave souls who set out to summit K2 in the winter. They might have even summitted the beast. Alas, we might never know for sure. Here is a prayer for all the souls that passed away. Rest in power!

Ali Sadpara Update Archive

Let’s look at the latest news on the rescue efforts to locate the missing mountain climbers. The latest is that expert search and rescue teams of the Pakistan Army are continuing their mission. They have planned to deploy infrared cameras to help with the search. These cameras can help locate humans and animals by detecting their body heat. This plan is expected to reduce problems caused by bad weather and low visibility.

As of this moment, Ali Sadpara, John Snorri, and Juan Pablo Mohr have been declared dead.

Ali Sadpara Biography

Born on the 2nd of February, 1976, Ali Sadpara is one of the most respected and well-known mountain climbers in the country. He was born in a village whose name he bears, Sadpara near Skardu City. Hailing from the mountainous Gilgit-Baltistan area, he was perhaps destined for lofty achievements. His love for mountain climbing can be best summed up by himself. When asked about what it takes to become a mountaineer. he is often quoted to have said:

You must have a deep love for the mountains

Ali Sadpara, 2016

We can only imagine the love you have for mountains, Ali. We sincerely hope the guard you well till we meet again.

Achievements Rivalling only the Very Best

Ambitious people often rest after an achievement. They always look to the next step, the next hurdle, and the next mountain. This was his plan I suppose. He sought to become one of the only to ever summit the unforgiving K2 in the cold and dry winter. This feat would have only added to the illustrious career of our very own mountaineer.

His first successful climb came in 2006 when he successfully summited Gasherbrum II. He climbed the Spantik Peak in the same year before going on to successfully climb Nanga Parbat for the first time in 2008.

His most famous achievement is perhaps the climb of Nanga Parbat in the winters. We cannot imagine how you did it, Ali, It probably had something to do with his two previous climbs of the same mountain. Apart from Naga Parbat, he has climbed to the top of 8 of the total 14 mountains in the world that have a height of more than eight thousand meters. Ali went international with his portfolio by summiting the Muztagh Ata in China in 2008. After this ascent, and apart from Pumori, Ali only focused on the Eight-thousander peaks.

He climbed Nanga Parbat for the second time in 2009 and Gasherbrum I in 2010. After a five year hiatus, he tried climbing Nanga Parbat in the winter of 2015. After the first unsuccessful attempt, he tried again the next year. Along with Italian climber Simone Moro, Ali was successful in summiting Nanga Parbat for the time ever in the winter season. Between 2017 and 2019, he successfully climbed to the top of Broad Peak, Nanga Parbat again, Pumori, K2, Lhotse, Makalu, and Manaslu. That is some mountaineering record!

Ali Sadpara Family

Ali Sadpara is a married man with a loving family. He has 2 other siblings. He got married at the age of nineteen to Fatima. They have three children together. His eldest son, Sajid, is also an avid mountain climber like his father. However, in 2016, he said that he never wanted any of his children to follow in his footsteps. We can only imagine how many dad jokes his children would have tolerated. Because he has been often described as a joyous and jubilant fellow.

A Prayer for Ali

We don’t know where you are Ali, but we hoped and prayed that you were alive and well. We sincerely hoped that the brave rescuers would have found you as soon as possible. You have loved the mountains of Pakistan with all your heart. We are confident that they love you back as well. Unfortunately, this was not the case. The did welcome you in their embrace, but alas, that embrace has become eternal.