Three European mountaineers have created history on Nanga Parbat, the world’s ninth-highest mountain located in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). David Göttler from Germany paraglided from a height of 7,700 meters, while Tiphaine Duperier and Boris Langenstein from France skied down the mountain — making it the first-ever ski descent from the summit and Rupal Face of Nanga Parbat.
The team began their expedition between June 21 and 24, climbing from the base camp via the Schell Route, one of the mountain’s most challenging paths. Although Göttler had planned to paraglide from the summit at 8,126 meters, strong winds forced him to take off slightly lower. He successfully glided back to base camp on June 24, completing a rare feat in high-altitude paragliding.
The French duo followed by skiing down the steep and dangerous Rupal Face, returning safely to base camp on June 27. This face of the mountain is known for its towering vertical rise and technical difficulty, making their descent a significant achievement in the world of alpine sports.
Experts and adventure enthusiasts across the globe have praised the trio for combining traditional mountaineering with modern extreme sports like skiing and paragliding, all at dangerous altitudes.
Nanga Parbat is part of the Himalayan mountain range in PoK and is considered one of the most difficult and dangerous peaks to climb. This successful adventure adds a new chapter to its legacy and highlights the growing popularity of high-risk, high-reward alpine expeditions in the region.
