But this whole story and your explanation give one more important realization: most of us merely lives our lives. We live like we are waiting already for death to come, whenever it happens. This is very sad and very confronting. But it is all in our hands how we want to deal with this.
Thank you for the thoughtful comment. I'm sitting with exactly the same thought. Have we been brave enough to answer the call of our own lives. Such an inspiration and such a loss.
I was thinking about this same question since yesterday after hearing the news. I have somehow stumbled upon your insta post for the same. I just couldn't wait and installed Substack this morning for the very first time just to listen it. Why do people go this far again and again. I believe somewhere I have received the Answer. Limits are only there in our mind, once we break them we are going to move towards the flow state and experience the highest form of truly being alive.
True legends never die. 🏔️
You have beautifully captured it ❤️
Thank you for writing it. Keep doing the great work. 👍
Wow, thank you for the kind words ❤️. I love that you downloaded Substack just to read this. I'm so glad you found your way here. I think Nims had an incredible way of making all of us ask bigger questions about our own lives, and that's part of what his legacy forever. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts.
I also installed Substack to read this. I don’t climb mountains and haven’t watched the Netflix documentary prior to this, but I couldn’t get the news/ story out of my mind - for days and days. And it made me think a lot . Thank you for sharing
Thank you so much for your kind words and thoughtful reflection. I know exactly what you mean. It’s incredible that someone so many of us never met could leave such a deep imprint on our lives. What an extraordinary human being he was. I think there are lessons in the way he chose to live that will stay with so many of us. 🙏
I loved the way he respected and never took the mountains for granted. The impact he made on me and a lot of others is something that will not easily be forgotten.
Thank you for the lovely reflection Talia. I completely agree. Sad beyond words, but what a legacy he leaves behind. There is so much we can all learn from the way he chose to live. 🙏
So happy you’re here, and grateful that you could read this. Thank you for the kind words 🙏. Such a heartbreaking few days, but what an inspiration he was.
Really powerful. Great writing. Flow is an elusive state, and I think most people never find it (i don't think i have yet). I think it requires more non-flow raw grinding than most people are willing to go through, to develop skill over time in some domain. When that skill meets the perfect amount of challenge, often in a performance, the magic happens.
Those that find flow know its rarity and treasure it immensely, doing absurd things an ordinary person could never comprehend.
Beautifully put. I agree that mastery opens the door to some of flow’s deepest experiences. But I also think flow has a lovely habit of surprising us. It often turns up in places we weren’t looking for it, whenever we become completely absorbed in something that matters. Coincidentally, I’m writing a book about this at the moment. 🙏
Nicely written. I actually have been thinking about this a lot since hearing the news- what these climbers chase , and what makes them want to keep going back what’s the ultimate goal? Is there a goal?
Thank you so much Sarah 🙏. I think that after a while the goal isn't another mountain but another opportunity to feel that completely alive again. They'll chase that feeling for the rest of their lives.
One of most powerful and beautifully written pieces I’ve ever resonated with. I’ve saved to reread and remind myself what life can look like when I stop negotiating with my own life and choose to walk toward the thing that makes me feel most alive. Indeed, what a legacy. Thanks for sharing. 🙏
Wonderfully written! What a big purpose this unique soul chose in awakening the world to what is means to be truly ‘Alive’. I had never heard of him until today & his essence has impacted me immensely as I’m sure it has so many others. What a gift he is!
Thank you for sharing and reading Louisa, it means a lot 🙏. I love that you called him a gift. I think that's exactly how so many people felt about him. Even those of us who never met him somehow felt changed by the way he chose to live. So many lessons to take from his life.
Thank you so much Victoria 🙏. It’s been an emotional few days thinking about Nims. What an extraordinary example of courage and what it means to feel truly alive.
Thank you Jenn - I appreciate the kind words 🙏. Such a heartbreaking day, but what an inspiration he was. I have a feeling people will be reflecting on his life for a very long time. Please write about him (even just your thoughts about what he represented/what he meant to you)....I'd love to read it.
Thank you Les 🙏. It’s such a sad loss, but what an extraordinary life he lived. I think there are lessons in the way he chose to live that will stay with so many of us.
Hi Hassan, this is really good. My heart broke when I found out he passed and I too needed to write in order to process the grief. I didn’t know him or the team personally but there’s something about moments like these that plunges the spirit into grief. What a great reminder of his incredible life and teachings 👏🏽
A thoughtful and beautifully written reflection. I agree that many climbers are not chasing death—they are chasing purpose, meaning, and the rare state of complete presence that the mountains can offer.
But there is another side to this conversation.
When you climb alone, the risks are yours to accept. When you lead an expedition, especially one that includes paying clients who have entrusted their lives to your experience, leadership carries a different responsibility. Beyond courage, vision, and inspiration, it also requires conservative decision-making when conditions become uncertain.
None of us yet knows exactly what happened on Broad Peak, and those who were there know far more than we do. Rescue efforts are still unfolding, and this is not the time for conclusions or blame.
Yet every tragedy should encourage us to ask difficult questions—not to diminish anyone's legacy, but to improve safety for those who climb after us. Mountains will always be there. Records will eventually be broken. But no achievement is more valuable than bringing every member of the team home safely.
My thoughts and prayers are with the families of everyone who lost their lives, especially Nathira Ahmed Al-Harthi. May she rest in peace, and may her courage always be remembered.
So true, Hassan. I fully agree.
But this whole story and your explanation give one more important realization: most of us merely lives our lives. We live like we are waiting already for death to come, whenever it happens. This is very sad and very confronting. But it is all in our hands how we want to deal with this.
Thank you for your gentle reminder.
Thank you for the thoughtful comment. I'm sitting with exactly the same thought. Have we been brave enough to answer the call of our own lives. Such an inspiration and such a loss.
I was thinking about this same question since yesterday after hearing the news. I have somehow stumbled upon your insta post for the same. I just couldn't wait and installed Substack this morning for the very first time just to listen it. Why do people go this far again and again. I believe somewhere I have received the Answer. Limits are only there in our mind, once we break them we are going to move towards the flow state and experience the highest form of truly being alive.
True legends never die. 🏔️
You have beautifully captured it ❤️
Thank you for writing it. Keep doing the great work. 👍
Wow, thank you for the kind words ❤️. I love that you downloaded Substack just to read this. I'm so glad you found your way here. I think Nims had an incredible way of making all of us ask bigger questions about our own lives, and that's part of what his legacy forever. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts.
I also installed Substack to read this. I don’t climb mountains and haven’t watched the Netflix documentary prior to this, but I couldn’t get the news/ story out of my mind - for days and days. And it made me think a lot . Thank you for sharing
❤️
🙏🙏🙏
I have only just became aware of Nimsdai, because of the tragedy and his tragic death.
Everything you write here has resonated with me all weekend.
Nimsdai - what a human being.
To have been alive on this planet with this human and if to only know him from his life and stories. I feel fortunate.
For it is true when you feel that aliveness there is nothing more perfect here on Earth.
And that doesnt mean climb Earths highest mountain, it also means climb to the top of your own highest mountain.
Namaste 🙏
Thank you so much for your kind words and thoughtful reflection. I know exactly what you mean. It’s incredible that someone so many of us never met could leave such a deep imprint on our lives. What an extraordinary human being he was. I think there are lessons in the way he chose to live that will stay with so many of us. 🙏
I felt the same when hearing the news.
I loved the way he respected and never took the mountains for granted. The impact he made on me and a lot of others is something that will not easily be forgotten.
Thank you for the lovely reflection Talia. I completely agree. Sad beyond words, but what a legacy he leaves behind. There is so much we can all learn from the way he chose to live. 🙏
Came here from IG. It's so beautifully written.
Haven't been able to get over his passing.
So happy you’re here, and grateful that you could read this. Thank you for the kind words 🙏. Such a heartbreaking few days, but what an inspiration he was.
Really powerful. Great writing. Flow is an elusive state, and I think most people never find it (i don't think i have yet). I think it requires more non-flow raw grinding than most people are willing to go through, to develop skill over time in some domain. When that skill meets the perfect amount of challenge, often in a performance, the magic happens.
Those that find flow know its rarity and treasure it immensely, doing absurd things an ordinary person could never comprehend.
Beautifully put. I agree that mastery opens the door to some of flow’s deepest experiences. But I also think flow has a lovely habit of surprising us. It often turns up in places we weren’t looking for it, whenever we become completely absorbed in something that matters. Coincidentally, I’m writing a book about this at the moment. 🙏
Nicely written. I actually have been thinking about this a lot since hearing the news- what these climbers chase , and what makes them want to keep going back what’s the ultimate goal? Is there a goal?
Thank you so much Sarah 🙏. I think that after a while the goal isn't another mountain but another opportunity to feel that completely alive again. They'll chase that feeling for the rest of their lives.
This post 🙏, why I’m here. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for this Ann 🙏. Sad beyond words, but what a legacy he leaves behind. There is so much we can all learn from the way he chose to live.
One of most powerful and beautifully written pieces I’ve ever resonated with. I’ve saved to reread and remind myself what life can look like when I stop negotiating with my own life and choose to walk toward the thing that makes me feel most alive. Indeed, what a legacy. Thanks for sharing. 🙏
RIP Nims
Wonderfully written! What a big purpose this unique soul chose in awakening the world to what is means to be truly ‘Alive’. I had never heard of him until today & his essence has impacted me immensely as I’m sure it has so many others. What a gift he is!
Thank you for sharing and reading Louisa, it means a lot 🙏. I love that you called him a gift. I think that's exactly how so many people felt about him. Even those of us who never met him somehow felt changed by the way he chose to live. So many lessons to take from his life.
A beautiful piece Hassan.
Thank you so much Victoria 🙏. It’s been an emotional few days thinking about Nims. What an extraordinary example of courage and what it means to feel truly alive.
I’ve been wanting to write about him too. I’m so heartbroken. This is excellent
Thank you Jenn - I appreciate the kind words 🙏. Such a heartbreaking day, but what an inspiration he was. I have a feeling people will be reflecting on his life for a very long time. Please write about him (even just your thoughts about what he represented/what he meant to you)....I'd love to read it.
Hi friend, writing now. I’ll be sure to share along with you 💛
You know I'm going to be waiting for this now 😏
Thank you. Powerful and insightful.
Thank you Les 🙏. It’s such a sad loss, but what an extraordinary life he lived. I think there are lessons in the way he chose to live that will stay with so many of us.
Hi Hassan, this is really good. My heart broke when I found out he passed and I too needed to write in order to process the grief. I didn’t know him or the team personally but there’s something about moments like these that plunges the spirit into grief. What a great reminder of his incredible life and teachings 👏🏽
A thoughtful and beautifully written reflection. I agree that many climbers are not chasing death—they are chasing purpose, meaning, and the rare state of complete presence that the mountains can offer.
But there is another side to this conversation.
When you climb alone, the risks are yours to accept. When you lead an expedition, especially one that includes paying clients who have entrusted their lives to your experience, leadership carries a different responsibility. Beyond courage, vision, and inspiration, it also requires conservative decision-making when conditions become uncertain.
None of us yet knows exactly what happened on Broad Peak, and those who were there know far more than we do. Rescue efforts are still unfolding, and this is not the time for conclusions or blame.
Yet every tragedy should encourage us to ask difficult questions—not to diminish anyone's legacy, but to improve safety for those who climb after us. Mountains will always be there. Records will eventually be broken. But no achievement is more valuable than bringing every member of the team home safely.
My thoughts and prayers are with the families of everyone who lost their lives, especially Nathira Ahmed Al-Harthi. May she rest in peace, and may her courage always be remembered.