“It is expected that Bhatti will be moved from base camp to Skardu CMH via army helicopter tomorrow [Friday] morning,” Karar Haidri, the general secretary of the Alpine Club of Pakistan, told Aaj News.

On July 3, Bhatti got stuck at camp four of Nanga Parbat (8,126 metres) due to snow blindness. The 45-year-old mountaineer was on a mission to scale the Nanga Parbat, also known as the “killer mountain”.

Asif along with renowned Pakistani mountaineer Lt Col (retd) Dr Jabbar Bhatti, Dr Naveed, Saad Muhammad, and Faheem Pasha departed for the expedition.

For reaching safely to the base camp, he had to arrive at 6,000 metres, camp two of the Nanga Parbat. Monday’s mission could not be performed due to the high altitude of the mountain.

Three people played a key role in saving the life of professor Bhatti. Azerbaijan mountaineer Israfil Alshurli, 54, stayed with Asif and played a heroic role in supporting his fellow mountaineer.

On the third day after Bhatti was stranded, climbers Yunus and Fazal Ali climbed up to offer support.

Bhatti has previously ventured on the 8,047-metre peak Broad Peak, but he did not succeed, Karar Hydari, the Alpine Club of Pakistan general secretary, said.

Earlier, the alpine club claimed that Bhatti was doing well, but he would not be able to trek further due to his eyesight being affected. “His other team members have not yet begun their final summit push,” Haidri said.

With a death probability of 21%, Nanga Parbat continues to claim its place among the top five most dangerous mountains in the world. Till now 85 of the climbers have died while attempting it.

More to follow…