Two Japanese climbers missing in northern Pakistan

“There has been no communication between the two Japanese climbers and the base camp officials since the start of their expedition,” Naiknam Karim, CEO of Adventure Tours Pakistan (ATP), told AFP. organized the expedition.

“They were seen on June 10 (for the) last time at more than 5,000 meters above sea level.”

Another team of Japanese climbers sounded the alarm on Tuesday after arriving at Camp 2, about 5,650 meters, where Hiraoka and Taguchi were expected to be.

Searches by military helicopter were canceled Thursday due to unfavorable weather conditions.

The search is expected to resume on Friday.

“A rescue team of eight members, including five Japanese mountaineers, will go up on foot and look for them,” Karim added.

The two men had reached base camp on June 3 and attempted the ascent without the help of porters.

Spantik, also known as Golden Peak, is described as a “relatively accessible and simple peak” on the website of a separate tourism company, Adventure Tours.

The country is home to five of the world's 14 mountains above 8,000 meters, including K2, the second highest in the world.

More than 8,900 foreigners visited the remote Gilgit-Baltistan region in 2023, according to official government figures, where the summer climbing season runs from early June to late August.

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