Nanga Parbat, the naked mountain

At 8,126 meters, Nanga Parbat dominates the western Himalayas in Pakistan. Nicknamed the “naked mountain” because of its ice-free slopes on some faces, it is also sadly famous for its tragic history, marked by many losses.

Altitude

8126 m

Localisation

35.237° N / 74.589° E

A sublime and deadly summit

Isolated and massive, Nanga Parbat is considered one of the most difficult and dangerous 8,000-meter peaks. Its Rupal Face, rising 4,600 meters, is the highest mountain face in the world. This summit embodies both fascination and fear, and remains a legend of modern mountaineering.

1895

First Attempt

British climber Albert F. Mummery disappears during an early pioneering attempt.

1934

German Tragedy

An avalanche kills 10 climbers and 9 porters, cementing the mountain’s reputation as the “Killer Mountain.”

1953

First Ascent

Achieved by Hermann Buhl (Austria), solo and without oxygen — a unique, unmatched feat.

1970

The Messner Tragedy

During the descent from the Rupal Face, Günther Messner dies alongside his brother Reinhold — a defining moment in mountaineering history.

2016

First Winter Ascent

Completed by Simone Moro, Alex Txikon, and Ali Sadpara, after decades of failed attempts.

35.2374° N / 74.58913° E

Pakistan

8 126 m

Elevation

1953

First ascent

4 600 m

Height of the Rupal Face, the largest mountain face in the world

2016

First successful winter ascent

Buhl’s summit

Hermann Buhl reached the summit alone in 1953, after a 41-hour ascent without oxygen or assistance, an achievement that remains unmatched.

The “killer mountain”

With over 60 deaths even before the first ascent, Nanga Parbat is one of the deadliest peaks in the Himalayas.

K2

Pakistan

8611 m

Nanga Parbat embodies the extremes of mountaineering: solitude, danger, and vastness.

For Norton Peak, it symbolizes tenacity in the face of adversity and courage in fragility.

From Gilgit

Approaches are via the Diamir or Rupal valleys, involving demanding and remote treks.

“Nanga Parbat is the mountain of my life – and also of my pain.”

Reinhold Messner

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