Mountaineer Who Saves Lives on K2 Receives National Geographic Adventurer of the Year Award

This year's National Geographic Adventurer of the Year award goes to a man who risked his life several times to save others. Pemba Gyalje Sherpa was part of the Norit K2 team on K2 August 1, when a massive serac fell off a glacier and tumbled through a section of the Cesan climbing route called the Bottleneck, stranding 17 climbers above 27,000 feet. Pembra, who had climbed Mount Everest seven times, chose to descend the Bottleneck alone, without oxygen, following the single safety left instead of staying in the danger zone. Over the next two days, he climbed back up and saved two of his teammates. For the full story of Pembra Gyalje Sherpa's heroism and rescue of his friends - 11 other climbers died - read The savior and the storm on K2, written by Christian DeBenedetti.

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