Famed Slovenian Climber Pavle Kozjek Missing And Presumed Dead On Muztagh Tower, Search and Rescue Ongoing For Partner Dejan Miskovic

Reports are surfacing that famed Slovenian climber Pavle Kozjek has fallen from Muztagh Tower.  His climbing partners, Dejan Miskovic and Gregor Kresal, are in trouble, as well.  Gregor Kresal was evacuated from Muztagh Tower yesterday, while ongoing search and rescue efforts are taking place for Dejan Miskovic, who is stranded at higher altitude.

Pavle Kozjek is famous for releasing the stirring photographs of what has now become known as “The Nangpa La Incident,” where chinese soldiers gunned down a group of Tibetan refugees in 2006.  These photographs sparked outrage and concern the world over for the violence of the incident, when few others would speak up.  Pavle released the famed photographs to ExplorersWeb 3 hours after the incident took place, even while Chinese soldiers were still hunkered down in the climbing camps of Cho Oyu.

Pavle Kozjek was  a Piolet d’Or Award contender in 2006 for being the best climber, voted upon by the people, for his solo opening of a new express route up Cho Oyu.  2006 would be a big year for Pavle.  After the release of the much debated Nangpa La photographs, that brought up arguments of human rights and climber ethics, Pavle Kozjek would be selected as “The Best of 2006″ by ExplorersWeb.

Pavle Kozjek, Dejan Miskovic, and Gregor Kresal were attempting to put up a new route and first ascent on the unclimbed north face of  Muztagh Tower.

From ExplorersWeb

According to Alpinist, Dejan phoned friends in Slovenia Monday stating that Kozjek had approached a cornice near their bivy tent and fell down the face.

Askari reported that a call from Slovenia yesterday had alerted them to a fatal fall on the peak. The Pakistan Aviation rescue service said attempts to lift Dejan off the peak with a rope were unsuccessful due to very high winds. A new attempt will take place today 3 pm local time.

This tragedy follows more recent climbing accidents on K2 and Mont Blanc that have garnered big media attention.  The month of August will go down as one of the deadliest on record in the past few years. Over 20 climbers have perished over the last month.

Pavle Kozjek’s death has not been confirmed at this time, but if indeed it is, like his climbing partners are saying, this could be the biggest loss to the climbing community since Inaki Ochoa who perished earlier this year.

Let’s keep Pavle Kozjek’s family, friends, and associates in our prayers and wish rescuers well as they attempt to bring down fellow climbing mate Dejan Miskovic.

Photo Courtesy of ExplorersWeb.  Featured left to right:  Dejan Miskovic, Gregor Kresal, and Pavle Kozjek