Climber Faces Flak For Leaving Dying Sherpa: What Really Happened?

In a remarkable achievement, Norwegian climber Kristin Harila, 37, along with her guide from Nepal Tenjin "Lama" Sherpa, etched their names in history by becoming the fastest individuals to conquer the world's 14 highest peaks, all towering above 8,000 metres, in a record-breaking time of three months and one day. 

Their awe-inspiring feat, achieved on July 27 with the ascent of K2,  has not only garnered international attention but has also brought them under scrutiny due to a tragic incident that unfolded during their expedition.

What footage from the ascent reveals

The spotlight on their accomplishment dimmed somewhat when drone footage shared by fellow climbers captured a heart-wrenching moment – a narrow passage cluttered with climbers, including Harila's team, stepping over the body of a fallen sherpa from another team. 

This individual, 27-year-old Mohammed Hassan, tragically lost his life during Harila's ascent, sparking a storm of controversy and criticism across social media platforms.

Addressing the growing controversy, Harila took to Instagram to share her perspective in a lengthy post. "We did everything we could for him at the time," she earnestly stated, acknowledging the gravity of the situation. 

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A post shared by Kristin Harila (@kristin.harila)

The posts showed her grappling with the dual emotions of accomplishment and sorrow, expressing deep empathy for Hassan's family while also shedding light on the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The climber, along with her team, explained that they had spent an arduous 1.5 hours attempting to rescue Hassan from the bottleneck, despite the perilous conditions. 

This delay led to a crucial distress call from the fixing team ahead, forcing Harila to make the difficult decision to continue her ascent, leaving some members behind with Hassan.

An Attempt to Save

Gabriel, Harila's dedicated cameraman, remained by Hassan's side during this critical period, providing him with oxygen and warmth while other climbers pressed on. 

In the wake of escalating danger and dwindling supplies, Gabriel reluctantly departed after an hour to secure oxygen for his own safety. The tragic outcome was discovered during their descent – Hassan had succumbed to the harsh conditions.

Harila's team, however, found themselves physically unequipped to safely transport Hassan's body down the treacherous terrain. She candidly admitted that at least six individuals would have been necessary for such a task, and their team of four was ill-equipped for the burden. 

Despite their best intentions, Hassan's death cast a sombre shadow on their accomplishment, prompting Harila to express her profound sorrow and sympathy for the family's loss.

The controversy swirling around this incident has unleashed a barrage of strong opinions. While some have condemned Harila's actions, accusing her of callousness, others have rallied to her defence. 

Harila pointed out that Hassan was "not properly equipped for the climb," as he was not wearing a down suit or gloves. Numerous individuals highlighted the inherent dangers of mountaineering at such altitudes and questioned the adequacy of Hassan's equipment. 

The tragic incident has sparked broader discussions about the preparation and equipment provided to local climbers who often bear the brunt of these perilous expeditions.

Suggested Reading: Norwegian Woman, Sherpa Guide Set Record Time Scaling 8000m Peaks