French climber Baltistan Peak death was confirmed after Guillaume Pierrel, 41, was struck by an avalanche on K-6 in Gilgit-Baltistan’s Ghanche district, local authorities said Wednesday.
Authorities said Pierrel was attempting to scale the 7,282-metre Baltistan Peak.
He was part of a three-member international expedition that included French climber Boris Jule and Swiss national Christina Maria.
The team began the expedition from Hushey Valley on June 6, according to local authorities and the tour operator. Authorities said the avalanche occurred at around 5,000 metres during the ascent.
They said a sudden slide of snow and rock swept across the climbing route. Pierrel died on the spot after being hit by the avalanche.
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Local authorities said a recovery operation had been launched. K-6 is one of the prominent peaks in the Karakoram range.
