Nirmal Purja—also known as Nims Dai,is among 10 climbers feared missing following an avalanche on a mountain in Pakistan, according to reports. Purja, a Nepali climber of international renown, is best known for completing the feat of summiting all 14 of the world’s highest peaks in just over six months in 2019, a record that shattered the previous mark by more than seven years.

Record-Breaking Feat and Public Recognition

Purja’s record-breaking journey, known as Project Possible, was documented in the Netflix film 14 Peaks: Nothing is Impossible. In the film, he emphasized that the mission was not about climbing itself but about inspiring people to pursue their dreams: “It’s not about mountain climbing, it’s about following your goals,” he said in a 2019 interview with the BBC.

His 2019 expedition began in April and concluded in October. During the climb, Purja faced extreme conditions and dangerous situations, including a notorious traffic jam on Everest in May 2019, where he captured a widely shared photo of a line of climbers waiting to summit. The image sparked global debate about overcrowding on Everest and the risks involved in commercial mountaineering.

Current Expedition and Rescue Efforts

According to Thaneshwar Guragai, general manager of Seven Summit Treks,the company Purja was with during the recent expedition,rescue teams have found two bodies at the scene, but the identities of the deceased remain unconfirmed. Purja and American climber Mallory Geis were among the group, which also included climbers from Oman, Pakistan, and Nepal, according to the Alpine Club.

Shigri, another source, noted that the GPS devices of four climbers are still active, indicating they may still be alive — However, none of the climbers have been heard from directly since the avalanche, raising concerns about their current conditions and whereabouts.

Background and Motivation

Purja served for 16 years in the British military, first with the Brigade of Gurkhas and later with the Special Boat Service, a special forces unit of the Royal Navy. His mountaineering career began in 2012 when he trekked to Everest Base Camp, an experience that ignited his passion for the mountains.

He was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 2018 for his military service and mountaineering achievements, though Purja has also been involved in several high-risk rescue operations, often putting his life on the line to save others.

CNN has reached out to Purja’s foundation, Nimsdai, for comment, but no response has been received as of the time of reporting.