Climber from China perishes after being struck by falling rocks while descending K2 under challenging late-season circumstances
Rising Rockfalls Pose Threat to Climbers on K2 Amidst Climate Crisis
A tragic incident on K2, the world's second-tallest mountain, has highlighted the growing danger of rockfalls due to climate change. Chinese climber Jing Guan lost her life on August 12, 2023, when she was struck by falling rocks while descending the Abruzzi Spur route.
This unfortunate event is part of a larger pattern of increased rockfall incidents on K2 and other mountains in the Karakoram range. According to the Scientific Committee of the Italian Alpine Club, landslides are on the rise due to the climate crisis, with mountains collapsing at an accelerated rate due to heat and extreme weather events intensified by global warming.
The committee's statement, published in La Repubblica, warns of the heightened risk of rockfalls. Multiple expeditions have been abandoned this season due to perilous conditions and the high likelihood of rockfalls. The dry conditions on K2 have resulted in loose underfoot terrain, contributing to multiple rockfall incidents.
The route from Advanced Base Camp to Camp 1 on K2, which is usually snow-covered, has been mostly bare rock and scree this season due to lack of snow and ice melt. This has made slopes between Camp 1 and Camp 2 extremely unstable, with falling rocks becoming a major hazard. The lack of snow and ice has directly contributed to fatal accidents, including Guan's death.
Scientists and climbers attribute these conditions to climate warming, which causes permafrost degradation. Permafrost—permanently frozen ground—acts as a natural cement holding loose rocks in place. As global temperatures rise, this frozen ground thaws, weakening rock integrity and increasing rockfall frequency and intensity. This effect has been observed not only on K2 but also on nearby peaks like Laila Peak, where similarly fatal rockfall incidents have occurred during unusually warm seasons.
The incident on Cima Falkner in the Italian Alps earlier this month is another example of the growing danger of rockfalls. The rockfall on Cima Falkner caused the summit to open "like a flower."
In recent years, K2 has endured an unexpectedly dry winter, making conditions dangerous for climbers. Despite this, Guan was part of an Imagine Nepal expedition that summited K2 along with three other climbing teams on Monday. However, the best climbing shoes, designed to provide a grip both indoors and out, may not be enough to protect climbers from the increasing rockfall hazards.
In 2021, mortality rates on K2 were as high as 25%, but dropped to 13% in 2024. However, this season's incidents suggest that the danger may be rising once again. As the climate crisis continues, it is crucial for climbers and scientists to work together to understand and mitigate the risks posed by increased rockfall on mountains worldwide.
[1] [Link to news article 1] [2] [Link to news article 2] [3] [Link to news article 3] [4] [Link to news article 4] [5] [Link to news article 5]
Environmental scientists warn of heightened risks of rockfalls on mountains worldwide due to climate change, as observed on K2. Meanwhile, the global warming-induced degradation of permafrost could potentially impact the stability of ice rinks, possibly destabilizing hockey games and other sports played on frozen surfaces.
