RAF climber feared killed on 26,400ft peak in Himalayas
AN rAF airman is believed to have died while attempting to climb a mountain in Pakistan.
Wing Commander Gordon henderson was reported missing during an expedition on Broad Peak, the world’s 12th highest mountain, on July 19.
The father-of-two, who served in Afghanistan, was taking part in the British services Mountaineering Expedition to the peak, which sits close to the Chinese border around five miles from K2, when he ran into difficulty.
An rAF statement said: ‘The royal Air Force is deeply saddened to announce that Wing Commander Gordon henderson is missing, believed killed, on Broad Peak mountain in Pakistan.
‘Wing Commander henderson went missing on July 19, 2022, whilst participating in the British services Mountaineering Expedition.
‘Our thoughts are with Wing Commander henderson’s family, friends and colleagues at this dreadful time.
Wing Commander henderson, an experienced climber from Dunfermline, Fife, is survived by his wife Kerry and has family links to san Antonio in Texas.
Details of the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of the airman, who was well regarded in scottish mountaineering circles, have not yet been established as an investigation gets under way.
The expedition, which was a joint mission between the British and Pakistan Armed Forces, was due to travel ‘the length of the infamous Baltoro Glacier’ before visiting the Broad Peak and K2 base camps and ascending the Gondogoro La pass at 5,600m (18,372ft).
Broad Peak, the expedition’s ‘main effort’ standing at 8,051m (26,414ft), is known as an 8,000er because it is one of only 14 mountains in the world with a summit that exceeds 8,000m (26,246ft) in height. Given its name for its long summit ridge, which spans more than a mile-and-a-half, it is part of the Karakoram mountain range, also home to the second tallest mountain in the world, K2.
Climbing Broad Peak is considered a stepping stone to consaid: quering the summits of K2 and Mount Everest – the world’s tallest mountain.
As of 2018, 406 climbers had reached the summit and 34 people had died on Broad Peak. reasons for death have included falls, avalanches, altitude and exposure.
K2 and Everest summiteer from Colorado, Alan Arnette, ‘Broad Peak is considered one of the several “achievable” 8,000-metre mountains along with Cho Oyu, Manaslu and Gasherbrum ii.
‘however, the upper sections can be steep, with avalanche and crevasse danger. Also the summit ridge can be tricky and dangerous.
‘A Pakistani climber died earlier this year when he fell through the summit ridge’s soft cornice.
‘similar to most 8,000ers, Broad takes about a month to climb including the trek to Base Camp, and several acclimatisation rotations to allow the body to adjust to the thin air.’
Fellow airmen expressed their sadness at the loss of Wing Commander henderson.
Group Captain Piers holland, station Commander for rAF honington, wrote on Twitter: ‘shocking and saddening news. All at rAF honington offer our thoughts and prayers to family and friends.
‘And we admire and pay tribute to his adventurous spirit, courage and bravery.’
The rAF Mountaineering Association said: ‘rAF Mountaineering is deeply saddened to announce that Wing Commander Gordon henderson is reported missing, believed killed, on Broad Peak, Pakistan.
‘Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time. The association has since paused all activity until 5 september.’
Family member ian henderson wrote on Facebook: ‘it is with great sadness we can confirm the passing of Gordon henderson. Gordon was a much loved father, husband, son, brother and friend. he will be greatly missed.’
‘Summit ridge can be tricky’