Nepal, Aug. 2 -- When a massive avalanche swept down Pakistan's 8,051-metre Broad Peak on Thursday morning, it did more than claim six Nepali lives. It wiped out one of the most accomplished generations of high-altitude climbers the country has produced, taking with it decades of technical expertise, leadership and record-breaking achievement.

Among those killed was world-renowned mountaineer Nirmal Purja, widely known as Nimsdai, along with five elite Nepali mountain guides whose experience and skills helped shape modern Himalayan climbing.

According to Nepali expedition operators and mountaineering entrepreneurs, the country has rarely suffered such a concentrated loss of internationally recognised and highly accomplished climbers in ...