An alpine-style ascent up the difficult Rupal Face and an impressive descent have been accomplished by three European mountaineers on Nanga Parbat, one of the most dangerous summits in the world.
Between June 21 and 24, French climbers Tiphaine Duperier and Boris Langenstein, along with German alpinist David Göttler, reached the summit of the 8,126-meter peak, also referred to as the “Killer Mountain,” using the Schell route.
The three of them started their ascent from base camp, which is about 3,600 meters above sea level.
Although all three made it to the top, their descent made them unique in the annals of climbing.
Göttler, 47, had intended to descend by paragliding straight from the top. But because of the high winds, he took off from 7,700 meters and glided back to base camp without incident in just 30 minutes.
