Tragic news has shocked the mountaineering community: Paweł Kopeć, a Polish climber, has died on Nanga Parbat, the ninth-highest mountain in the world.
He was one of the three Poles who reached the summit of the 8,126-meter peak on Sunday, but he did not make it back to the base camp.
Paweł Kopeć death cause
According to sources, Kopeć faced problems during the descent from the summit, which he reached on Sunday along with Piotr Krzyżowski and Waldemar Kowalewski.
The three climbers ascended Nanga Parbat independently, without any support or oxygen.
Kopeć was exhausted and dehydrated and eventually died at Camp 4, located at around 7,000 meters, or in its vicinity.
Kowalewski was with him and tried to help him, but it was too late. Krzyżowski managed to reach Camp 3 safely and is expected to descend further on Monday.
The news of Kopeć’s death was first reported by the Facebook page Nanga Parbat Climbers, which wrote: “We have received sad news from Nanga Parbat that a Polish climber has died at Camp 4.”
Later, it was confirmed that it was Kopeć who lost his life on the mountain.
Sad News: Polish climber Paweł Kopeć has died near CIV (~7300 m) on Nanga Parbat (8126 m). pic.twitter.com/qhJGbRDrj2
— Everest Today (@EverestToday) July 3, 2023
Who was Paweł Kopeć?
Paweł Kopeć was a 38-year-old climber from Świętokrzyskie region in Poland.
He was a member of the Świętokrzyski Alpine Club, the Polish Winter Himalayan Program and the Polish Alpine Association.
He had a rich climbing resume, which included ascents of Manaslu (8,163 meters), Ama Dablam (6,812 meters), Khan Tengri (7,010 meters) and many other peaks in the Himalayas, Karakoram and Pamir.
Kopeć was also a passionate skier and paraglider.
He worked as a teacher at a vocational school in Starachowice.
He was married and had two children.
How did Paweł Kopeć die?
Paweł Kopeć was exhausted and dehydrated and eventually died at Camp 4, located at around 7,000 meters, or in its vicinity. His fellow climbers tried to help him, but it was too late.
Krzyżowski managed to reach Camp 3 safely and is expected to descend further on Monday.
Why is Nanga Parbat so dangerous?
Nanga Parbat, also known as the Naked Mountain or the Killer Mountain, is one of the most difficult and deadly mountains in the world.
It is located in the western part of Pakistan’s Himalaya and has a reputation for unpredictable weather, avalanches, and rockfalls.
It was first climbed in 1953 by Hermann Buhl, a legendary Austrian mountaineer who made a solo ascent after his partner turned back.
Since then, more than 300 climbers have reached its summit, but at least 68 have died on its slopes.
One of the most tragic events on Nanga Parbat happened in 2018, when another Polish climber, Tomasz Mackiewicz, died while descending from the summit with his partner Elisabeth Revol.
A dramatic rescue operation was launched, involving Adam Bielecki and Denis Urubko, two of the best climbers in the world.
They managed to save Revol, but Mackiewicz could not be reached and perished on the mountain.
Pawel Kopeć death: Reactions
The death of Paweł Kopeć has caused an outpouring of grief and condolences from his friends, family and fellow climbers.
The Polish Alpine Association also issued a statement expressing its condolences and solidarity with Kopeć’s loved ones.
Paweł Kopeć wife
Paweł Kopeć was married to Anna Kopeć, who shared his love for climbing and adventure.
They met in 2009 during a trekking trip in Nepal and got married in 2011.
The two had two children: a son named Jakub and a daughter named Zofia. Anna Kopeć supported her husband’s climbing ambitions and often accompanied him on his expeditions.
She also climbed several high mountains herself, such as Mera Peak (6,476 meters) and Island Peak (6,189 meters) in Nepal.
Paweł Kopeć children
Paweł Kopeć had two children: a son named Jakub and a daughter named Zofia.
They were born in 2012 and 2015 respectively.
The two inherited their father’s adventurous spirit and enjoyed spending time outdoors with him.
Paweł Kopeć often took them to the mountains and taught them how to ski and paraglide.
He also shared with them his stories and photos from his expeditions.
He loved his children dearly and wanted them to follow their dreams.
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