The climbing partner of double Olympic champion Laura Dahlmeier, who tragically died this week following a mountaineering accident, has spoken of the heartbreaking decision to leave her behind after she was hit by a ‘huge rock.’
The former biathlete, who was confirmed dead on Wednesday, was struck by falling rocks at an altitude of around 5,700 metres (18,700ft) at Laila Peak in the Karakoram mountains in Pakistan on Monday.
She was climbing with Marina Eva Krauss, who told reporters at a press conference that after Dahlmeier was hit she had to make an agonising decision on whether to stay with her or find help.
Krauss said: ‘I saw Laura being hit by a huge rock and then being thrown against the wall. And from that moment on, she didn’t move again.
‘It was impossible for me to get there safely. It was clear to me the only way to help her was to call a helicopter. She didn’t move, she didn’t show any signs [of movement]. I called out to her, but there was no response.
‘She only had a chance if help arrived immediately.’
Krauss added that the accident, which happened as they rappelled back down to safety, may not have happened had they set off up Laila Peak earlier.
‘If we had been there half an hour earlier, we would’ve made it down safely.’
Laura Dahlmeier climbed with Marina Eva Krauss (pictured), who said she did not move after being hit by falling rocks
Olympic biathlon champion Laura Dahlmeier has died aged 31 in a mountaineering accident
Laila Peak (6,096 m) in Khuspang Camp, Hushe Valley near Gondogoro Glacier
Though Krauss alerted rescue services about the incident and an international rescue team was dispatched to the area, a helicopter only reached the remote site on Tuesday morning, and rescue workers then struggled to reach the German athlete due to the risk of further rockfall.
The search for Dahlmeier continued on Wednesday, when she was found dead.
Her representatives added that Dahlmeier most likely died instantly.
German mountaineer Thomas Huber, who was part of the rescue team, said Dahlmeier’s body would stay up on the mountain as, before she died, she explicitly instructed her associates not to send a rescue party up if there was a significant risk to their lives.
He said: ‘We have decided she should stay, because that was her wish.’
Another member of the rescue team, Jackson Marvell, added that it would be ‘disrespectful’ to recover her body against her wishes.
He said: ‘The recovery of Laura’s body will be possible, but it involves incredible risks, both on foot and by helicopter.’
Dahlmeier won two gold medals and a bronze in biathlon at the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang and is also a seven-time world champion. She retired in 2019.
She was the first female biathlete to achieve a sprint and pursuit double at the same Olympics.
She had been hit by falling rocks while climbing in the Karakoram mountains in Pakistan on Monday
Dahlmeier’s management company issued a statement saying it could be assumed that she had died immediately due to her injuries and paid tribute to a ‘wonderful person’
Dahlmeier was climbing in the Hushe Valley, part of the northern Gilgit-Baltistan region, when she was struck by a sudden rockfall.
Poor weather conditions prevented a rescue helicopter from reaching the site.
Expert climbers from Germany and the United States sent on the search confirmed that she had died, regional government spokesperson Faizullah Faraq said.
The provincial government spokesperson identified her climbing partner as Marina Eva Krauss.
A statement from Dahlmeier’s management company read: ‘Based on the findings from the helicopter overflight and the rope partner’s description of the severity of her injuries, it can be assumed that Laura Dahlmeier died immediately.
‘Recovering the body is too risky for the rescue workers under the current difficult conditions with rockfall and a change in the weather on Laila Peak and is not feasible.
‘Her wish was to leave her body on the mountain in this case. This is also in the interest of her relatives, who also expressly request that Laura’s final wishes be respected.
‘We bid farewell to a wonderful person. Laura enriched our lives and the lives of many with her warm and straightforward manner.
‘She showed us that it’s worth standing up for your own dreams and goals and always staying true to yourself.
‘We are deeply grateful, dear Laura, that we were allowed to share in your life. Our shared memories give us strength and courage to continue on our path.’
The German Olympic Sports Confederation led the tributes for Dahlmeier, who was the first female biathlete in history to win sprint and pursuit events at the same Olympics.
Dahlmeier won two gold medals at the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea
Just a month ago, Dahlmeier said she was having an ‘amazing time’ on her mountain adventure, showing her journey with a video posted on Instagram
Dahlmeier was climbing in the Hushe Valley, part of the northern Gilgit-Baltistan region, when she was struck by a sudden rockfall (file photo)
‘With heavy hearts, we bid farewell to Laura Dahlmeier,’ they said in a statement.
‘Her sudden death leaves us stunned. She was more than an Olympic champion – she was a person with heart, attitude and vision. Your story will live on, Laura.’
IOC President Kirsty Coventry added in a statement: ‘The news about the passing of two-time Olympic biathlon champion Laura Dahlmeier in a terrible mountaineering accident is deeply shocking for all of us in the Olympic Movement.
‘She lost her life in her beloved mountains. Laura made history at the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics as the first female biathlete to win sprint and pursuit gold at the same Games edition. She will be remembered forever.
‘Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this very difficult time.’
Dahlmeier, who was born in the Bavarian ski town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, was also honoured by the premier of her home state, Markus Soeder, who said ‘she was ambitious and successful, yet always remained humble and close to her homeland’.
Ms Dahlmeier turned to mountaineering challenges after ending her biathlon career in 2019.
She had been a state-certified mountain and ski guide since 2023 and volunteered for the Garmisch-Partenkirchen mountain rescue team.
Laura Dahlmeier poses with her medals during a welcome reception in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, March 2, 2018
Laura Dahlmeier competes at the shooting range in the mixed relay biathlon event during the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympic Games
Laura Dahlmeier poses on the podium during the medal ceremony for the Biathlon Women’s 15km Individual at the Pyeongchang Medals Plaza during the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympic Games
Just a month ago, Dahlmeier said she was having an ‘amazing time’ on her mountain adventure, showing her journey with a video posted on Instagram.
Dahlmeier had scaled the Great Trango Tower at 6,287m on July 8 and was aiming reach the summit of the Laila Peak next.
Hundreds of climbers try to scale mountains in northern Pakistan every year and accidents are common because of avalanches and sudden weather changes.
The region has also been battered by above-normal seasonal rains, triggering flash floods and landslides.
Since last week, at least 20 Pakistani tourists have been missing after floodwaters swept them away near the northern district of Chilas.
