In 2022, the lauded German mountaineer and biathlete died in a mountaineering accident in Pakistan. At the time she was attempting to summit Laila Peak in Pakistan’s Karakoram range. The emergency occurred at an altitude of 5,700 meters (18,700 feet). Her passing was announced on Wednesday, leaving the sports world and her millions of fans around the globe with an immeasurable loss.
As she was ice climbing with her partner, Marina Eva Krauss, things took a tragic turn. As Krauss explains here, a massive boulder fell and hit Dahlmeier, crushing her and slamming her into a rock wall. After the accident, Krauss said when Dahlmeier got hit by the rockfall, he’d stopped creeking.
Rescue plans to retrieve Dahlmeier’s body were later called off because of treacherous conditions on the mountainside. According to her management agency, the financial risks were too great for any recovery efforts to be realistic. It would be a significant signal of change, and something that – based on her own actions – Dahlmeier certainly wouldn’t have wanted. She thought it would endanger her potential rescuers.
German mountaineer Thomas Huber made a point of saying that Dahlmeier’s wishes should be honored. He stated, “We have decided she should stay, because that was her wish.” This sentiment was echoed by Jackson Marvell, an American member of the rescue team, who added, “The recovery of Laura’s body will be possible, but it involves incredible risks, both on foot and by helicopter.”
Krauss shared her perspective on the situation, noting the inherent dangers: “It was impossible for me to get there safely.” These remarks only emphasize what is at stake, as rescue crews in the area cope with one of the most violent environments known to mankind.
It’s hard to overstate how remarkable an athlete and trail-blazing young woman Laura Dahlmeier was, even at the height of her career. She obliterated the world championships, winning seven gold medals. At the 2018 Winter Olympics, also known as the Pyeongchang Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea, she earned two additional gold medals. She certainly made history in those Games! She earned the distinction of being the first female biathlete to win both the sprint and pursuit races during one Olympic Games.
Dahlmeier left competitive professional sports for good back in 2019 at the ripe old age of 25. Her legacy lives on in incredible accomplishments and a never-give-up attitude. It inspires all of us in sports and outside of it.
