Climber from China meets unfortunate death due to falling rocks during the descent of K2 amidst challenging late-season weather conditions
In recent weeks, the Italian Alps and the Dolomites have seen an increase in rockfall incidents, with a British hiker being fined over $16,000 for calling for rescue on a trail closed due to rockfall [1]. Meanwhile, on K2, the world's second-tallest mountain, there has been a notable rise in dangerous rockfall incidents this year, linked to unstable conditions caused by climate and weather patterns.
K2, known as the 'Savage Mountain', has a reputation for high climbing deaths. Standing at 8,611m (28,251 ft), the mountain has endured an unexpectedly dry winter, which has led to dangerous conditions for climbers, including multiple rockfall incidents [2].
The Scientific Committee of the Italian Alpine Club has stated that landslides are on the rise due to the climate crisis, attributing the increase to permafrost degradation, caused by the thawing of usually frozen ground [3]. Similarly, the committee investigating the incidents on K2 suggests that mountains are experiencing an acceleration of these processes due to heat and extreme weather events intensified by the climate crisis [4].
This year, climbers on K2 have faced severe risks from rockfall, especially on the lower slopes between Camp 1 and Advanced Base Camp. The unusual climatic factors, including an unusually dry winter followed by weeks of extreme heat and rain, have stripped away usual snow cover on many slopes, leaving loose, bare rock exposed and dramatically increasing the risk of rockfalls [5].
The heightened rockfall activity on K2 in 2025 forced more than half the climbers to abort their summit attempts. Those who proceeded faced terrifying descents with continuous falling rocks, as witnessed by survivors who described constant vigilance and frequent strikes by ice and rock fragments during the descent [2]. The alpine environment’s instability appears to be exacerbated by climate change trends contributing to warming temperatures and shifts in precipitation, accelerating the melting and retreat of glaciers and snowpack that normally stabilize mountain slopes.
The tragedy took place during a climbing season that saw multiple expeditions abandoned due to the high likelihood of rockfalls. On August 12, 2023, Chinese climber Jing Guan was killed by falling rocks while descending K2 [6]. Similar trends have been noted on other high mountains impacted by warming and changing weather patterns worldwide.
While the committee's statement does not directly link single events to climate change, it suggests that they could be part of a larger pattern [4]. The committee's statement does not provide any new information about the mortality rates on K2 in the current year, nor does it mention any recent rockfall incidents in the Italian Alps or the Dolomites.
References:
- BBC News
- The Guardian
- Reuters
- Climate Change News
- Alpine Club Journal
- China Daily
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