ISLAMABAD: Climate change is making mountaineering increasingly perilous as some of the world’s tallest peaks are experiencing high temperatures, warned Swiss climber Billi Bierling.

She said this during her presentation titled ‘From the Karakoram to the Himalayas – Climbing in the Wake of Climate Change’.

“It has gotten a lot drier and warmer. At altitudes of 7,000 to 7,500 metres, we now see water running. Ten years ago, this was unthinkable as it was always freezing cold up there,” Bierling remarked during her presentation, which included slides illustrating the stark before-and-after images of glaciers and mountainous landscapes affected by global warming.

“With my own eyes, I’ve observed that the mountains have become noticeably warmer,” she said.

One alarming consequence of this warming, Billi Bierlingexplained, was the increased frequency of rock falls.

“The permafrost that holds a rock in place is melting, causing dangerous rock falls,” said Bierling, who has been climbing the Himalayas since 1998.

Her first expedition in Pakistan’s Karakoram Range took place in 2015 when she attempted to scale Broad Peak.

The alpinist expressed concerns about the potential changes in climbing seasons in Pakistan due to these shifts in climate. She stressed the importance of proper training for local high-altitude porters, suggesting they follow the example of Nepali Sherpas.

“Sherpas have become proficient mountain guides and effectively use social media to promote their skills and accomplishments. Pakistani guides should adopt similar practices to advance in this high-risk profession,” she said.

She also advocated for regular cleanup drives in Pakistan’s mountainous regions to address the growing issue of rubbish left behind by climbers.

“Maintaining the beauty of these landscapes is essential not only for the environment but also for attracting tourists,” she added.

Swiss Ambassador Georg Steiner echoed her sentiments, emphasising the need for sustainable tourism practices.

“To consistently attract tourists, whether in Switzerland, Pakistan, or the UAE, nations must keep their natural and cultural resources in good order,” he said.

The talk highlighted the pressing challenges posed by climate change to mountaineering and the necessity of adapting to these changes. From promoting better training for local guides to protecting the environment, Bierling’s insights underscored the collective responsibility to safeguard the mountains for future generations.

Billi Bierling has scaled six of the fourteen 8,000 metre peaks, namely Mount Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, Cho Oyu, Manaslu and Broad Peak - the latter three she climbed without the help of supplemental oxygen.

In 2004, Billi started assisting the late Elizabeth Hawley with her work documenting expeditions to the Nepal Himalayas. Together with a team, Billi continues to interview expedition leaders for Liz Hawley’s archive, which is now called ‘The Himalayan Database’.

Published in Dawn, December 12th, 2024