Gilgit-Baltistan, 5 August 2022 (TDI): The family of departed mountaineer John Snorri reached K2, in Pakistan, basecamp to honour his memory.
John Snorri
Mountaineer John Snorri Sigurjónsson was an Icelandic high-altitude mountaineer. He was the first mountaineer from Iceland to summit Lhotse in 201 7which is 8516 meters high. The mountain is part of the Himalayas and is also the forth highest mountain in the world.
John Snorri made huge achievements in mountaineering. He submitted Mont Blanc, highest mountain in alps, Mount Elbrus, Ama Dablam, Manaslu, and many others. However, in the start of February, 2021, the mountaineer went missing along with his partners Ali Sadpara and Juan Pablo Mohr. The three had planned to summit K2 but lost contact after reaching Bottleneck.
Rescue missions worked relentlessly to find the lost mountaineers but failed in their attempts. On February 18, the three mountaineers were announced dead. However, search for their dead bodies had continued which were found in June, 2021 in the slopes above Camp 4.
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John Snorri’s family visit to Pakistan
On July 27, John Snorri’s family called on the President of Pakistan, Arif Alvi. His family travelled from Iceland to Pakistan in order to visit the last places their family member had lived in.
Moreover, the visit also involved moving John Snorri’s body to a more safer place. The family had earlier on expressed their desire of bringing John’s body home.
During their meeting at Aiwan-e-Saddar, Arif Alvi expressed his condolences on the death of the mountaineer. He also mentioned his passion for mountaineering and his achievements. Moreover, he also highlighted the way John Snorri promoted mountaineering in Pakistan.
Family’s visit to K2 basecamp
The family members of John Snorri on the visit to Pakistan included his widow Lina Moey, daughter, and sister. On the occasion, they were also accompanied by the Candian filmmaker and adventurer Elia Saikaly.
The family said in a press conference that they want to bring John Snorri’s body back home. However, they had also emphasized that during this expenditure, they do not want anybody’s life in danger. It was reported earlier, that the mission to bring John Snorri’s body down from where it actually lies right now had failed.
Elia Saikaly, along with John’s family visited the K2 basecamp. They were aided in this mission by the high-altitude pilots of Pakistan’s army.
Remembering John Snorri at #K2 basecamp.
Full write up here: https://t.co/0utTDUEt3Q pic.twitter.com/ilvJXQntTY
— Elia Saikaly (@EliaSaikaly) August 3, 2022
While recognizing these efforts, Elia Saikaly thanked the Army, the government of Pakistan, and others who they met during their journey. She said that it was their hospitability and kindness which made her and John Snorri’s family feel at home. Moreover, she said that they would always keep these memories in their heart.
I’d like to thank and recognize the Pakistan Army, the Fearless 5 pilots, the Pakistan Government and the dozens of people we have met on our journey who have opened their hearts and made the Snorri family feel at home in Pakistan. With special thanks to Col Hassan Bin Aftab. pic.twitter.com/a7ANZNGJwm
— Elia Saikaly (@EliaSaikaly) August 4, 2022
Canda’s High Commissioner to Pakistan’s remarks
The High Commissioner of Canada to Pakistan, Wendy Gilmour also thanked the army for their contributions in the search mission as well as in their operations to bring John’s body back.
Thank you to the high altitude pilots of the #PakistanArmy, who with @HassanBinAftab, allowed the family of @john_snorri to honour the memory of the men of #K2Winter2021. @ali_sadpara @sajid_sadpara @EliaSaikaly @14peaks @GovtofGB @OfficialDGISPR https://t.co/DzBN0wl3M5
— Wendy Gilmour (@gilmour_wendy) August 4, 2022
Moreover, Gilmour said that it was due to them that the family of John Snorri had been able to honor the memory of John. On the occasion, the High Commissioner also remembered the other men who lost their lives in the Winter of 2021 at K2.
