Mohammad Ali Sadpara, born in 1976 in the village of Sadpara in the Himalayan Baltistan region of Pakistan, was a renowned mountaineer. Growing up in a region where livestock farming was the main source of livelihood, Sadpara displayed extraordinary qualities from a young age. Despite financial constraints, he pursued his education and excelled in both academics and athletics.
In the early 2000s, Sadpara shifted his focus to climbing due to his physical prowess and passion for adventure. He quickly gained recognition among tour operators, leading successful expeditions that earned him worldwide fame. One of his notable achievements was being part of the first team to summit Nanga Parbat in winter in 2016.
Tragically, on February 5, Sadpara, along with two other climbers, John Snorri from Iceland and Juan Pablo Mohr from Chile, went missing while attempting to climb K2, the world’s second highest peak. Sadpara’s son, Sajid, who was also a member of the team, had to turn back due to illness. Despite extensive search efforts, all three climbers were declared dead, leaving a void in the world of mountaineering.
Sadpara’s legacy as the only Pakistani to have conquered eight of the world’s 14 highest mountains, including the first winter ascent of Nanga Parbat, will always be remembered. His dedication, bravery, and love for climbing inspired many, and his loss is deeply felt by both the mountaineering community and his family. Sajid expressed his gratitude for the support during the search and acknowledged his father’s permanent presence in the embrace of K2, while highlighting the immense loss suffered by Pakistan and their family.
Mohammad Ali Sadpara’s remarkable journey from a small village in Pakistan to becoming a celebrated climber will forever be cherished, and his determination serves as an inspiration to aspiring adventurers around the world.
