Icelandic mountain climber John Snorri Sigurjónsson remains missing after attempting to summit K2, the world’s second-highest mountain, last week. Rescue crews and climbers have stated it is unlikely that John Snorri and his two companions are still alive as conditions on the mountain are extremely cold and difficult. John Snorri’s wife Lína Móey Bjarnadóttir stated she still hopes for a miracle and her husband’s safe return.
John Snorri is accompanied by Pakistani mountaineer Ali Sadpara as well as Chilean climber Juan Pablo Mohr. The three lost contact with base camp last Friday when they were some 400 metres from the peak. Ali’s son Sajid Sadpara, who accompanied the team up to 8,200 metres before turning back due to a malfunction in his oxygen tank, has participated in the search for the team, which has involved several helicopter trips and assistance from the Pakistani Army. Sadpara has stated it is unlikely his father and the others are still alive.
John Snorri’s Wife Holds Out Hope
In a post on her Facebook page yesterday, John Snorri’s wife Lína Móey Bjarnadóttir stated she still has hope that her husband will return home safely. “I have not given up and know that there is still room for a miracle because the week is not over, his camp will stay open until Saturday. Those who know John Snorri Sigurðsson know what strength he has and I hope that more people out there will give me the wind beneath my wings to try until we’ve tried everything.”
At 8,611m (28,251ft), K2 is the second-highest mountain on Earth and is considered a much more challenging climb than Mt. Everest, the world’s highest peak. In 2017, John Snorri became the first Icelander to top the mountain, which is located on the China-Pakistan border. He then set his sights on being the first person ever to ascend the peak during winter but was beaten to that goal by a team of Nepalese mountaineers last month. This is John Snorri’s second attempt to ascend K2 in winter.
The search for the team continues, though according to a press release weather conditions have made it “almost impossible.”
