Chinese Climber Dies on K2, Retrieval Efforts Hampered by Weather
Chinese climber Guan Jing died on K2 after falling rocks post-summit. Retrieval efforts are ongoing, complicated by severe weather grounding helicopters and injuring a Nepali rescuer.
Subscribe to unlock this story
We really don't like cutting you off, but you've reached your monthly limit. At just $5/month, subscriptions are how we keep this project going. Start your free 7-day trial today!
Get StartedHave an account? Sign in
Overview
- Chinese climber Guan Jing died on Tuesday while descending K2 in Pakistan's Gilgit-Baltistan region, a day after successfully reaching the summit, due to being struck by falling rocks.
- Efforts to retrieve Guan Jing's body from K2 have been severely hampered by unsuitable weather conditions, which have grounded helicopter flights crucial for the operation.
- Mountaineers have embarked on foot to reach the deceased climber's body, which is located approximately 100 to 150 meters above the advanced base camp at about 5,400 meters.
- During the challenging retrieval attempts, Nepali Sherpa Jangbu was injured and became stranded on K2, highlighting the extreme dangers faced by rescue teams.
- The injured Nepali climber was subsequently rescued by helicopter and transported to Skardu Hospital for urgent medical treatment, confirming the successful evacuation of the injured rescuer.
Report issue
Read both sides in 5 minutes each day
Analysis
Center-leaning sources cover this story neutrally by focusing on factual reporting and providing objective context. They detail the incident, the challenges of the recovery effort, and the inherent dangers of K2 without employing loaded language or emotional appeals. The reporting prioritizes clear attribution and relevant background information to inform readers comprehensively.
"Guan Jing was struck by falling rocks on Tuesday while descending K2, a day after reaching its summit with a group in Pakistan's Gilgit-Baltistan region."
CBS News"Deadly incidents are common on K2, where steep gradients, thin air and sudden storms can turn even routine descents into life-threatening ordeals."
Associated PressArticles (3)
FAQ
Guan Jing died due to being struck by falling rocks while descending K2 after successfully summiting the mountain.
Retrieval efforts have been severely hampered by unsuitable weather conditions that grounded helicopters crucial for the operation, forcing rescuers to attempt the retrieval on foot.
Nepali Sherpa Jangbu was injured during the challenging retrieval operations and became stranded on K2 before being rescued by helicopter and transported to Skardu Hospital.
The 2025 season was marked by severe weather, including heavy rain at base camp transitioning to snowfall higher up, persistent jet stream winds causing delays, and significant rockfall making the upper route hazardous.
Over two dozen climbers successfully reached the summit of K2 during the rare August weather window in 2025.
History
- This story does not have any previous versions.