Laura Dahlmeier’s climbing partner Marina Krauss spoke publicly over the dramatic hours after the fatal mountain accident at Pakistani Laila Peak.
Three days after the fatal mountain accident of the former top biathlete Laura Dahlmeier in Pakistan, rope partner Marina Krauss commented on the accident. In an improvised press round in the city of Skardu at the foot of the 6,069 meter high Laila Peak, in which the ARD team Neu-Delhi was present, Krauss described the course of the fatal accident.
At the Laila Peak in the Karakorum Mountains, she was already at the next abseiling place that Dahlmeier had complied, Krauss says. The two women would have decided to turn around – before reaching the summit.
Stone hit Laura Dahlmeier on the head
“I observed how the Laura hit a huge stone and how it was then thrown against the wall,” says the young woman audibly shaken. She saw that Dahlmeier had been hit on the head.
“And from the moment she didn’t move anymore. And for me it was not possible to get there somehow.” You put an emergency call. Krauss: “She no longer moved, she did not give any signs. I called her and there was no reaction.” There was no way for them to reach Dahlmeier without endangering their own life. She put an emergency call. After trying everything, she started relegation.
“If we had been there half an hour earlier …”
According to the weather forecast, the conditions in advance were good, Krauss and Dahlmeier were certain that they “definitely get this route technically on it”. But during the day the conditions worsened that the snow had become softer. “We decided prematurely before we reached the summit.
The accident occurred on Monday at 5,700 meters – at a exposed point, with snow and freezing temperatures. Dahlmeier was traveling in the alpine style with her rope partner, ie climbing like in the Alps; The food and the entire alpine equipment are carried. The search also participated Professional mountaineer Thomas Huberwho was also present in the interview in Skardu.
Thomas Huber: Laura was a “mountain girl”
Thomas Huber said that he was in contact with the two climbers in advance because they needed experience. “But I know from Laura that she only raved about a mountain, and that’s the Laila Peak. This is a beautiful mountain,” said Huber in a hot voice. “I also got news from Laura that they had the best time on the mountain.” Laura was a “mountain girl”. “When she goes into the mountains, she has beamed.” He was “so happy for her” that she was now on her dream mountain.
The two women would have done everything right, emphasized Huber. They were “instinct girls” and had decided to turn back to the summit. “Not the summit is the goal, but life,” said Huber. Marina Krauss also did everything right after the accident. Huber, who is currently on an expedition in Pakistan, said he would now go back to his mountain partners. “I know many will not understand what I do, but Laura, she understands that,” said Huber. “You have to accept it, we may be a little bit different.”
Dahlmeier’s body is not recovered for the time being
Dahlmeier’s body could not be recovered due to the difficult conditions. The former top biathlete also had written in writing that in the event of an accident, no one should end up in danger in order to rescue her. She wanted to stay on the mountain if she happened. Pakistani authorities announced that they would not initiate any further rescue attempt. This was announced by the spokesman for the responsible provincial government of Gilgit-Baltists, Faizullah Faraq, the German Press Agency. In this way, the authorities want to respect the express wish of the athlete who has crashed in Pakistan, according to which nobody should risk his life in such a case to recover her.
The athlete’s management also said that due to the currently prevailing dangers at Laila Peak, the body was not recovered in coordination with the Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP). “In exchange with the authorities on site, the relatives will observe the situation at Laila Peak and keep it open to arrange for a rescue at a later date.”
Mining and climbing were Dahlmeier’s great passion. The 31-year-old was a state-certified mountain and ski guide, an active member of the mountain rescue service and was considered an experienced and risk-conscious mountaineer. It was only last November that she had climbed the Himalaya summit Ama Dablam in Nepal and set up a speed record.
With information from dpa
To the audio: Dahlmeier rope partner: “If we had been there earlier …”
Source: Bavaria 3 news
07/31/2025 – 2:00 p.m.
