Italian mountaineer dies skiing in Gilgit-Baltistan

An Italian mountaineer died while skiing down a 6,000-metre peak in Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), officials said today.

The 27-year-old Italian alpinist, Leonardo Comelli, fell down when he was attempting the first ever ski descent of the north-west side of Laila Peak, according to Karar Haidri of Alpine Club of Pakistan.

"According to preliminary reports, during a traverse Comelli crossed his skis, lost his balance and fell circa 400 metre down steep mixed terrain," he said.

The alpinist had been a part of a four-person Italian expedition team that reached Karakoram range in late May in order to attempt the first ski descent of the north-west face of 6,096 meters Laila Peak.
 

The other expedition members -- Carlo Cosi, Zeno Cecon and Enrico Mosetti, are unhurt.

Comelli who hailed from Muggia, a small town on the outskirts of Trieste, had started rock climbing at the age of 16.