Acclaimed Spanish climber Alberto Zerain and his climbing partner, Mariano Galvan from Argentina, were reported as missing on Nanga Parbat.

UPDATE: Alberto Zerain Dies on Nanga Parbat

Spanish climber Alberto Zerain was reported missing along with his partner, Mariano Galván, on Nanga Parbat. The two set out to ascend the mountain as part of their 2x14x8000 project. The mountain has garnered the name “The Killer Mountain” by many mountaineers because of the sheer number of deaths it has had on its faces.

Nanga Parbat’s Dangers

Nanga Parbat is a notoriously dangerous mountain. In 2018, Elisabeth Revol lost her partner on the mountain. And in 2019, beloved alpinist Tom Ballard died on the mountain with his partner, Daniele Nardi. Ballard was the son of Alison Hargreaves.

Famed climber Reinhold Messner lost his brother, Günther Messner, on Nanga in 1970. Messner would go on to try and ascend the mountain three more times before succeeding.

Last Communication With Alberto Zerain

Zerain’s team announced on 27 June that communication with the climbers had been lost on 24 June. According to a statement on their Twitter account, the team stated that because of the number of days the climbers have spent on the Mazeno Ridge, they believe their radio equipment has lost battery.

#AlbertoZerain #NangaParbat #MarianoGalván pic.twitter.com/fUyVkaW1XY

— 2x14x8000 (@2x14x8000) June 27, 2017

Tweet from 2x14x8000 account

The tweet was shared via an image of Nanga Parbat and its text reads, translated from Spanish, as:

Since last Saturday, 24 June, we have not been able to maintain any contact whatsoever with Alberto Zerain and Mariano Galvan. The number of days they have spent on the Mazeno Ridge has led us to believe that the radios have lost their battery power. We are doing everything possible to reestablish communications, We will keep everyone informed of any new information.

Zerain was involved in another mountaineering disaster in 2008 on K2. During that expedition, he ascended the mountain as a solo climber before the rest of the teams. Alberto Zerain was able to make it to the summit and descend, however, the teams who were climbing behind him were caught in a series of avalanches and icefalls. In total, 11 climbers died on those expeditions now known as The 2008 K2 Tragedy.

Zerain had previously attempted to climb Nanga Parbat in 2011, but the wind and weather made the climb impossible.

The 2x14x8000 project was an attempt for Juanito Oiarzabal to summit the world’s 14 highest 8,000 m. peaks for the second time.