Klára Kolouchová: Czech Mountaineering Pioneer Dies on Nanga Parbat, July 3, 2025
On this day, July 3, 2025, the mountaineering community lost Klára Kolouchová on the slopes of Nanga Parbat (8,126 m) in Pakistan. She died during her descent above Camp II after turning back before reaching the summit, bringing to an end the impressive journey of one of the Czech Republic’s most accomplished high-altitude climbers.
1. A Pioneer of Czech Mountaineering
Kolouchová was a pioneer of Czech mountaineering. In 2007, she became the first Czech woman to summit Mount Everest, before making history again as the first Czech woman to climb K2, Kanchenjunga, and Annapurna I.
Nanga Parbat was intended to be her sixth 8,000-meter peak as she worked toward climbing all fourteen of the world’s highest mountains.
Beyond her climbing achievements, she was a mother, author, motivational speaker, and an inspiration to countless young women who dreamed of pursuing lives beyond conventional boundaries.
2. A Journey from Corporate London to the Himalaya
Her journey to the world’s highest mountains began far from the Himalaya. After working in corporate London, Kolouchová gradually built a career in high-altitude mountaineering through years of training and determination, eventually becoming the Czech Republic’s leading female Himalayan climber.
She documented her expeditions in books and lectures, encouraging more women to pursue adventure and showing that motherhood and climbing at the highest level could go hand in hand.
3. The Final Chapter on Nanga Parbat
Nanga Parbat became the final chapter of that journey. She died during her descent, having turned back before the summit. Her place in Czech mountaineering history had already been firmly established long before her last expedition.
Primary Sources:
Czech Mountaineering Federation records
Expedition reports – Nanga Parbat 2025
Historical accounts of Kolouchová’s climbs (Everest 2007, K2, Kanchenjunga, Annapurna I)
Wikipedia – Klára Kolouchová / Nanga Parbat