Father and Son Killed on K2
Marty Schmidt (53) and his son Denali Schmidt (25) have been killed by an avalanche at Camp 3 on K2 in Pakistan.
Unlock this article and more benefits with 40% off.
Already have an Outside Account? Sign in
40% Off Outside+.
$4.99/month $2.99/month*
Get the one subscription to fuel all your adventures.
- Map your next adventure with our premium GPS apps: Gaia GPS Premium and Trailforks Pro.
- Read unlimited digital content from 15+ brands, including Outside Magazine, Triathlete, Ski, Trail Runner, and VeloNews.
- Watch 600+ hours of endurance challenges, cycling and skiing action, and travel documentaries.
- Learn from the pros with expert-led online courses.
*Outside memberships are billed annually. Print subscriptions available to U.S. residents only. You may cancel your membership at anytime, but no refunds will be issued for payments already made. Upon cancellation, you will have access to your membership through the end of your paid year. More Details
Marty Schmidt (53) and his son Denali Schmidt (25) have been killed by an avalanche at Camp 3 on K2 in Pakistan. The duo had gone missing on Friday July 26th in conditions that were described as “dangerous” by other climbers on the mountain at the time. The worst fears of the mountaineering community were confirmed yesterday when two Sherpas reached Camp 3 at over 24,000 feet only to find it wiped out by an avalanche.
Both Schmidt and his son were extremely experienced mountaineers. The elder Schmidt had started climbing in 1972 in the Sierra Nevadas and in Yosemite and became a guide later that decade. He has climbed many of the world’s highest and most challenging peaks, including Gasherbrum 1 and 2, Makalu, Denali and more. In 2011 the father and son team made a trip to Denali, establishing a new route on North America’s highest mountain. They will be sorely missed by the mountaineering community.
Check out this video that documents Marty and Denali’s 2011 Denali expedition:
Alaskan Adventures, Marty and Denali Schmidt from Denali Schmidt on Vimeo.