The mountaineering world is in mourning following the tragic death of Klára Kolouchová, a trailblazer in the world of high-altitude climbing and the first Czech woman to summit the three highest mountains on Earth—Mount Everest, K2, and Kangchenjunga. Kolouchová, who was 46 years old at the time of her passing, had spent her life conquering some of the most challenging peaks in the world, leaving an indelible mark on the mountaineering community and inspiring countless people with her determination and courage. Her untimely death on July 3, 2025, while climbing Nanga Parbat, has cast a shadow over the mountaineering world, leaving those who knew her in disbelief and grief.
Klára Kolouchová was not only a mountaineer but also a woman who excelled in a variety of fields, from communications to business management. She was an accomplished PR manager and communications consultant before she devoted herself fully to the mountains, where she would go on to achieve feats that were once thought unattainable for women. Her climb to the top of Mount Everest in 2007, K2 in 2019, and Kangchenjunga in 2019, made her a legend. She climbed a total of five 8,000-meter peaks, and her passion for the sport and the mountains was evident in everything she did. Her life was a testament to resilience, determination, and the pursuit of excellence, both on and off the mountains.
Born on September 6, 1978, Klára’s journey to mountaineering stardom was not an overnight one. She worked as a PR manager for various foreign companies, including a post as Regional Communications Manager at Euro RSCG Worldwide from 2000 to 2003. She later worked in the UK, where she contributed her skills as a communications consultant for the Department for Constitutional Affairs and the Department of Health. During this time, Klára pursued her studies in business management at the Anglo-American University in Prague, demonstrating a relentless drive to succeed in everything she undertook.
However, her true passion lay in mountaineering. Kolouchová’s love for climbing was ignited in her youth, and she quickly became one of the leading figures in the mountaineering community. Her dedication to the sport was clear as she scaled some of the highest and most challenging peaks on Earth. Her determination to break barriers was evident when she became the first Czech woman to summit Kangchenjunga in 2019, followed by K2, another of the world’s most dangerous mountains.
In addition to her mountaineering achievements, Klára was also an avid tennis player and won the LTA tournament at the Queens Club in London. Her athleticism extended beyond the mountains, and her commitment to physical fitness played an important role in her success as a climber. Despite her incredible success in mountaineering, Klára never lost sight of her family and was a devoted mother to her daughter, Emma, born in 2008, and her son, Cyril, born in 2014. She balanced her personal and professional life with grace, always making time for her family while pursuing her passions.
Klára’s legacy as a mountaineer is built on her unmatched achievements, but her death on July 3, 2025, while attempting to summit Nanga Parbat, a notoriously difficult peak in Pakistan, has left a void in the mountaineering community. According to sources, Kolouchová’s oxygen tank exploded, and she tragically fell from the mountain, leading to her untimely passing. However, some mountaineers, including Jan Trávníček, have since disputed this account, claiming that Kolouchová’s oxygen tank did not explode, leaving the exact cause of her death still unclear. Regardless of the circumstances surrounding her death, her passing has sent shockwaves through the mountaineering world.
Klára’s climbs were not only a series of physical feats but also an inspiration to women everywhere. Her determination to achieve what many thought was impossible demonstrated the strength of the human spirit. In 2006, Klára became the first Czech woman to summit Cho Oyu, a peak in the Himalayas that is considered one of the easiest 8,000-meter mountains, but still presents immense challenges. In 2007, she achieved another historic first when she summited Mount Everest, a dream for many climbers but a feat that few ever accomplish. Her accomplishments only continued to grow as she completed the Seven Summits, a feat that requires summiting the highest peak on each of the seven continents, and as she climbed Elbrus, Denali, and Annapurna I.
Throughout her career, Klára had always approached mountaineering with a sense of purpose, taking on the world’s highest peaks with the same level of dedication she applied to everything else in her life. Her accomplishments were not just personal milestones; they were triumphs for all women in sports and mountaineering. She proved that women could not only participate in these high-stakes challenges but excel at them. Her ability to break barriers was matched only by her compassion and her desire to help others.
The impact of Klára Kolouchová’s death is being felt around the world, particularly in the Czech Republic, where she is a national hero. She was known for her humble nature and for always helping others, whether they were fellow climbers or simply people in need. Her passing has not only left a gap in the mountaineering community but also in the hearts of her family, friends, and fellow athletes. Those who had the privilege of climbing with her, as well as those who admired her from afar, will forever remember her as a woman who lived life to the fullest, always pushing the limits and inspiring others to do the same.
The mountaineering world continues to mourn the loss of this incredible woman, but her legacy lives on. Her accomplishments have inspired countless individuals, particularly women, to pursue their passions without fear of failure. Klára Kolouchová’s name will always be associated with the most prestigious and difficult peaks in the world. From Everest to K2, Kangchenjunga to Denali, Klára’s name will be remembered by all who know what it means to push the limits of human endurance.
As the world reflects on her extraordinary life, Klára’s family, friends, and admirers are left with the task of carrying on her legacy. In her memory, they vow to continue climbing higher, pushing boundaries, and living with the same passion and dedication she did. Her death may have come too soon, but her impact on the world, especially in the realm of mountaineering, will never be forgotten.
Rest in peace, Klára Kolouchová. Your legacy lives on, inspiring others to climb higher, reach further, and chase their dreams with the same determination and spirit you carried every day of your life.
